Brazil's former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro to run for Senate

Michelle Bolsonaro, Brazil's former first lady, was officially presented as a Senate candidate on Sunday, ending weeks of speculation about her political future.

Her candidacy emerged amid reported differences with her stepson, Flávio Bolsonaro, who is also running for president. Michelle has been a prominent figure in Brazil's right-wing politics, and her political aspirations have been seen as a potential challenge to Flávio's claim to his father's political legacy.

Until Friday, Michelle's Senate bid was uncertain, reportedly depending on the approval of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently imprisoned for attempting a coup. However, she was formally presented as a candidate during the Liberal Party's local convention in Brasilia. Flávio Bolsonaro announced her candidacy during the event, stating, "We are going to rescue democracy, together with Michelle Bolsonaro, who is our other candidate for the Senate."

Michelle Bolsonaro was hospitalized the day before the convention with a severe migraine and was only discharged during the event. She was unable to attend in person, but her acceptance speech was delivered by her brother, Diego Torres. "I have accepted this challenge. I am a pre-candidate for the Senate," Torres stated on her behalf. Michelle Bolsonaro recently accepted an apology from Flávio, who is competing against leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the upcoming elections. Michelle is popular among female voters, a demographic considered a weak point for her stepson's presidential campaign. Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence at the residence he shares with Michelle. Prohibited from public social media expression, the former president has called for unity around Flávio's campaign. Polls indicate a close presidential race between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula.