Analysis-Bolsonaro's party grows as center-right rivals stumble into Brazil campaign season

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and his Chief of Staff Ciro Nogueira gesture during a ceremony to commemorate Forro Day, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil December 13, 2021. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has seen the ranks of his new party swell in Congress while center-right rivals for the presidency deal with friendly fire, giving the incumbent a boost as he gears up for his re-election campaign.

Bolsonaro's decision to join Brazil's right-wing Liberal Party (PL) last month helped draw a wave of new members, making it the largest party in the lower house of Congress with 75 seats – up from just 33 seats after the 2018 election.