Federal Deputy Alex Manente from São Paulo, representing the Citizenship party, has publicly accused a faction within the party of attempting to dismantle its structure. This internal rivalry has intensified after the recent ousting of longtime president Roberto Freire, who led the party for four decades until his removal in September 2023. Following this change, the party has experienced significant division, with two groups actively competing for control and power within its ranks.

On March 4, 2023, Manente, who aligns with Freire's faction, was elected as the new president of the Citizenship party during a congress held in São Bernardo do Campo. However, just two days later, the opposing faction organized its own event to affirm support for Comte Bittencourt, who has assumed the presidency after Freire. Both factions have engaged in a heated dispute, with allegations from each side about procedural violations during their respective meetings, such as insufficient quorum and breaches of calling protocols.

On October 18, 2023, the situation escalated when a ruling from the Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal favored Bittencourt's faction, leading to the annulment of the national directory meeting that had convened the congress which elected Manente. This decision effectively suspends Manente's newly formed leadership, throwing the party further into chaos as the divisions continue to deepen, highlighting the challenges of maintaining unity within political organizations in Brazil.