Flavio Bolsonaro, with a supporter.Image: keystone
Brazil will vote next year. The left-wing incumbent Lula wants to run again despite his age.
Dec 6, 2025, 7:04 amDec 6, 2025, 7:04 am
The son of the imprisoned Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro wants to become the new head of state of the South American country next year and replace the left-wing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on Platform X:
“It is with great responsibility that I confirm the decision of Brazil’s greatest political and moral leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, to entrust me with the task of continuing our national project.”
The leader of the right-wing Liberal Party (PL), Valdemar Costa Neto, confirmed the decision and said: “If Bolsonaro says something, it counts.” The party’s delegates will not vote on the official candidate until next year, but Jair Bolsonaro continues to have great political influence despite his lack of a formal party function and his imprisonment.
The presidential election will take place in Brazil in October 2026. The left-wing incumbent Lula wants to run again despite his age. The 80-year-old led Latin America’s largest country from 2003 to 2011 and is currently in his third term in office since the beginning of 2023.
Bolsonaro Sr. is serving a 27-year prison sentence
44-year-old Senator Flávio Bolsonaro released his statement after visiting his father at the federal police headquarters in the capital Brasília a few days ago. Bolsonaro is serving his more than 27-year prison sentence there after being convicted of an attempted coup.
In recent months, allies of the ex-president have been fighting for political influence in the right-wing camp. Tarcísio de Freitas, governor of the state of São Paulo, was among the names traded for a possible candidacy.
(sda/dpa)