On Wednesday, the Cidadania party held a congress where federal deputy Alex Manente was elected as the new president, stepping into the role during a turbulent period marked by legal battles for control over the party. Disagreements within the party escalated to the courts, as one faction supported keeping Comte Bittencourt, who was elected in 2023, in charge. However, after a series of judicial defeats, Roberto Freire took command and organized a congress to elect new leadership.

In the lead-up to the congress, Comte attempted to block the assembly, but the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) rejected his appeals, upholding decisions from the Federal District's courts which favored Freire. Manente's supporters assert that he has wide-ranging backing from party representatives across Brazil, particularly from substantial state chapters such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Amazonas, with approximately 600 participants attending the congress.

Despite the apparent electoral victory for Manente, factions loyal to Comte Bittencourt claim they hold a majority within the party. This ongoing power struggle reflects the significant divisions in Cidadania, as competing interests and leadership disputes leave the party's future uncertain.