2026 presidential candidates return to origins for official campaign launch

Brazil's 2026 presidential election campaigns officially commence on Sunday, marking a pivotal moment for candidates to launch their bids. The electoral calendar dictates that from this date, candidates are permitted to organize rallies, parades, promote online content, and explicitly solicit votes.

Several key presidential hopefuls are strategically returning to their roots, selecting launch sites that hold personal or political significance. President Lula, seeking re-election, will officially begin his campaign at the Estádio Municipal 1º de Maio in São Bernardo do Campo. This venue is deeply connected to his past as a union leader, having hosted major strikes in 1979 that propelled him onto the national political stage.

Flávio Bolsonaro, a former senator from Rio de Janeiro, has chosen the iconic Copacabana beach as the backdrop for his campaign's official start. This location is a known gathering spot for supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, with past rallies held along the Avenida Atlântica.

Ronaldo Caiado, the PSD candidate and former governor of Goiás, will initiate his campaign within his home state. He is set to lead a motorcade through several municipalities in the Goiás region, an area that has experienced significant population growth. Meanwhile, Romeu Zema, the Novo party candidate and former governor of Minas Gerais, will hold his first official rally in Montes Claros, a major electoral hub in the state, which historically mirrors national election outcomes.