Flavio Bolsonaro, son of jailed ex-president Jair Bolsonaro (Photo: REUTERS/Canva)
Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of Brazil’s jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro, has officially announced that he will lead the country’s conservative movement and position himself as a key contender in the 2026 presidential election. The announcement comes amid Jair Bolsonaro’s imprisonment and ongoing legal appeals, marking a major shift in Brazil’s political landscape.
Flavio confirmed on Friday that his father, currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has chosen him as the successor to continue the Bolsonaro political legacy. In a post shared on X, the 44-year-old senator wrote:
“It is with a great sense of responsibility that I confirm the decision of Jair Messias Bolsonaro to entrust me with the mission of continuing our national project.”
He also posted an image kissing his father on the head, symbolising a public passing of leadership.
Jair Bolsonaro, 70, remains barred from contesting public office and is seeking a legislative pardon while battling serious health complications, including the aftermath of a 2018 stabbing and a recent skin cancer diagnosis. With his incarceration and frail health diminishing hopes of a comeback, the torch has been passed to his eldest son, who is now expected to unite right-wing supporters.
Flavio, considered the most moderate and structured among the Bolsonaro siblings, has been a prominent political figure for more than two decades. He served as a State Deputy in Rio de Janeiro from 2003 to 2019 before being elected Senator in 2018 with over 4.3 million votes.
Academically, he holds specialisations in public policy from the University Research Institute of Rio de Janeiro (IUPERJ) and in entrepreneurship from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). Flavio is often seen as a more composed and articulate leader compared to his brothers, Eduardo and Carlos Bolsonaro.
Following news of his endorsement, Brazilian financial markets reacted sharply, with the currency weakening by about 2% and the Bovespa stock index dropping nearly 3%. Analysts say investors were expecting Jair Bolsonaro to support São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, considered a more market-friendly alternative.
“The market sees Flavio as a weaker candidate than Tarcisio in a race against Lula,” said Laís Costa, analyst at Empiricus Research.
The Bolsonaro family remains influential among Brazil’s right-wing electorate, and Flavio’s candidacy is expected to reactivate the loyal conservative base. His announcement also received public backing from Michelle Bolsonaro, the former First Lady, who wrote on Instagram:
“May the Lord give you wisdom, strength and grace for the good of our nation.”
Flavio is now set to challenge incumbent President Lula da Silva in what analysts predict will be one of Brazil’s most polarised elections in recent history. While he carries the weight of his father’s legacy, he also inherits deep legal, political and economic controversies that could shape the campaign.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
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