Right-wing merger aims to form Brazil's largest political party

Deputy Luciano Bivar attends the national convention of the new Brazilian party Uniao Brasil, in Brasilia, Brazil October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Two right-wing political parties in Brazil decided on Wednesday to join forces to become the country's largest political party, with plans to field an alternative to President Jair Bolsonaro in next year's elections.

The Democratas (DEM) and the Social Liberal Party (PSL), which Bolsonaro joined ahead of his 2018 campaign, will have a combined 82 seats in the 513-member lower chamber of Congress, a larger grouping than the left-wing Workers Party (PT) with 53.