Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro formally inaugurated his presidential campaign on Saturday at a national convention in São Paulo, securing the nomination of the right-wing Liberal Party to challenge left-wing incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the upcoming October election, according to Aljazeera.
Flávio Bolsonaro Launches Presidential Bid in São Paulo
Flávio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator and the eldest son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro, was anointed as his father’s political heir, as reported by News.com.au. Former President Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence and is under house arrest for his role in an attempt to overturn the 2022 election won by Lula, leaving him barred by courts from making political statements. Consequently, the elder Bolsonaro appeared at the convention only via an artificial intelligence-generated video, prompting Flávio to tear up and declare to the cheering crowd, I may be calmer, more cheerful, more composed and more moderate, but Bolsonaro blood flows here!
Supporters wearing Brazilian national team jerseys beat drums and waved flags inside a nearly full warehouse next to São Paulo’s Pacaembu Stadium, The Canberra Times and News.com.au noted.
International Right-Wing Backing From Milei and Netanyahu
The campaign launch featured high-profile foreign backing, led by Argentinian President Javier Milei, who flew to Brazil the night before the event and met with São Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas on Saturday, according to Aljazeera. Milei delivered a fiery speech criticizing Lula and declaring that Flávio Bolsonaro can save Brazil from socialism.
We will continue offering our testimony everywhere against the lies of socialism,
Milei stated during the convention, according to Aljazeera. Milei also kicked off a wider Latin American tour that includes stops in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, as detailed by The Guardian.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also offered support via a short video message. Flavio, my friend, I want to congratulate you on the official launching of your campaign,
Netanyahu said in the recording, according to the Brazilian outlet Metropoles cited by Aljazeera. You’re a great champion of Brazil, you’re a great champion of the friendship between our peoples.
Polls, Scandals, and Domestic Hurdles
Despite international backing, Flávio Bolsonaro has struggled to forge domestic political alliances. Centre-right parties have largely kept their distance and decided to remain neutral ahead of the October 4 election, according to Aljazeera and News.com.au.
The campaign lost its early momentum following a series of setbacks, including leaked messages linking Flávio to jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro—who financed a film about his father’s political career—a family dispute with Michelle Bolsonaro, and new tariffs imposed on Brazilian goods by US President Donald Trump, as reported by The Canberra Times. A Datafolha poll released on Friday showed 80-year-old incumbent Lula leading Flávio Bolsonaro 48 per cent to 43 per cent in a runoff, up from 47 per cent to 43 per cent in June, according to The Canberra Times and News.com.au. Lula’s Workers Party is scheduled to hold its own convention on August 2 to confirm the president’s re-election bid, per Aljazeera.
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