Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has been officially confirmed as the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party, the political organization founded by his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. The announcement, made during a party convention in São Paulo on Saturday, sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this October.
Addressing attendees at the convention, Flávio Bolsonaro stated, "Bolsonaro's blood flows here," while honoring his father, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his role in plotting a coup following the 2022 election. The former president appeared at the event via an AI-generated video, as he remains under house arrest and is prohibited from making public statements.
The campaign faces significant hurdles, as the younger Bolsonaro has not yet selected a running mate and currently lacks the broad support from centrist parties that proved instrumental to his father's 2018 victory. Notably, several prominent figures were absent from the convention, including his stepmother, Michelle Bolsonaro, who is considered a key voice among evangelical voters.
Despite these challenges, the candidate has secured backing from Argentine President Javier Milei and received a message of support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is also actively pursuing endorsements from allies of former US President Donald Trump. His campaign has already encountered controversy, including backlash over his attempt to secure funding from a jailed banker for a film project about his father, as well as criticism following his efforts to seek US support during a period when Washington imposed higher tariffs on Brazilian exports.
Framing the upcoming vote as a critical battle for the country's future, Flávio Bolsonaro accused both President Lula and the Brazilian Supreme Court of targeting his family. Meanwhile, Lula’s Workers' Party is expected to formally confirm the 80-year-old president's re-election bid on August 2.
