Bolsonaro's party names son Flávio as presidential candidate

The Liberal Party (PL) of Brazil, led by imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, has officially nominated his eldest son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, as its presidential candidate for the October elections. The party's president, Valdemar Costa Neto, declared Flávio chosen to "continue the project that already worked," positioning him as the candidate for "the country and millions of Brazilians."

Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, steps in for his father, who is disqualified and under house arrest following a conviction for leading a coup plot after losing the 2022 election to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Costa Neto praised Jair Bolsonaro as the "greatest leader" he has ever seen and held up Argentine President Javier Milei as an example for Flávio, commending Milei for restoring "confidence and prosperity" to Argentina.

During the ceremony at the Pacaembu stadium in São Paulo, attended by hundreds of militants and aligned politicians, Flávio Bolsonaro was visibly moved by video messages from his siblings, Eduardo and Carlos. Carlos Bolsonaro urged his brother to "carry forward the work of Jair Bolsonaro." The event also saw the participation of Argentine President Javier Milei.

The upcoming election is shaping up to be a direct confrontation between Lula da Silva's Workers' Party (PT) progressivism and the far-right movement represented by Flávio Bolsonaro. Recent polls suggest Lula holds a narrow lead over Bolsonaro's son, with the latest Datafolha survey indicating 48% support for Lula compared to 43% for Flávio Bolsonaro in a potential second round. Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign has faced recent challenges, including a public dispute with his stepmother, Michelle Bolsonaro, and revelations of his connection to a banker imprisoned for financial fraud.