Renan Santos is a Brazilian political activist, entrepreneur, musician, and politician. He co-founded the Free Brazil Movement in 2014 and serves as president of the Mission Party. Presenting himself as an alternative right-wing figure, he was a candidate in the 2026 Brazilian presidential election.
Early life and activism
Santos was born in São Paulo and studied law at the University of São Paulo, though he left the course, while being deeply involved in student politics. He was a member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party from 2010 to 2015. In Vinhedo, he helped found a young libertarian group, the Renew Vinhedo Movement, which used the internet and an irreverent style to pursue its goals. In 2014, members of that group joined others to found the Free Brazil Movement.
Free Brazil Movement
The movement grew out of protests against public transport fare increases and later campaigned for the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff. Santos became one of its main leaders, known for organizing large national protests through social media. Its first protest focused on alleged electoral fraud, the use of public funds by the Workers' Party, and press freedom. In 2016, the movement's protests drew large crowds in many Brazilian cities, and Santos later led a march from São Paulo to Brasília to call for Rousseff's removal.
Mission Party and candidacy
Santos proposed creating a new political party because movement-backed candidates had been elected under other parties. The Mission Party was announced in 2024 and registered with the Superior Electoral Court. In 2025 Santos announced his pre-candidacy for the presidency in the 2026 elections, and his candidacy was formalized by the party in July 2026. His campaign has targeted younger voters, particularly Generation Z.