Augusto Cury, a writer and presidential candidate for the Avante party, announced former federal lawmaker Júlio Delgado as his running mate on Wednesday, August 5. Cury made the announcement in a statement titled “A Letter to the Nation,” as Brazil’s parties finalize their tickets for the 2026 presidential election.
The decision came before the deadline set by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) for party conventions and candidate selection. Avante must formally register its candidates in the Electoral Justice system by August 15. Cury’s presidential candidacy was officially approved by the party on Monday at a convention held at the São Paulo Legislative Assembly.
Cury’s Announcement
In the letter, Cury praised Delgado as a former six-term federal deputy and described him as an ethical and combative lawmaker who opposed corruption. He also called Delgado a prominent figure in Congress’s senior leadership ranks and a well-regarded politician from Minas Gerais state.
“I have the honor of announcing Júlio Delgado as my running mate in the presidential race,” Cury said in the statement reported by CNN Brasil.
Cury attributed three proposed institutional reforms to Delgado. The proposals are:
- Replacing Brazil’s presidential system with a semi-presidential system;
- Limiting Supreme Federal Court (STF) justices to eight-year terms instead of lifetime tenure; and
- Replacing the foreign minister with a secretary of state, following the model used in the United States.
The STF is Brazil’s highest court and is responsible for constitutional matters. Under the current system, its justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 75, rather than for a fixed term.
Delgado’s Background
Delgado, 59, was born in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, and holds a law degree from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. Before entering the Chamber of Deputies, he served as deputy secretary of Minas Gerais’s Department of Labor and Social Assistance.
He followed his father, Tarcísio Delgado, into politics. His father served as a state and federal lawmaker and was elected mayor of Juiz de Fora three times.
During his time in the Chamber of Deputies, Júlio Delgado served as a party leader, a member of the chamber’s governing board and a candidate for speaker. He also participated in Parliamentary Inquiry Committees, Brazil’s congressional investigative panels, and acted as rapporteur on several legislative proposals.
Cury ended his letter by describing his proposals as the beginning of a “Golden Age” of public administration, cooperation among Brazil’s three branches of government and Brazil’s role in global affairs. The announcement is based on single-source reporting from CNN Brasil.