“Cold War” Between Bolsonaros Intensifies Amid Brazil Election Campaign

A "cold war" is escalating within the Bolsonaro family as Jair Bolsonaro's son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, and his former wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, clash over the political legacy of the imprisoned former president. This internal conflict emerges just three months before Brazil's crucial presidential elections, where the right-wing bloc aims to unseat incumbent President Lula da Silva.

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I have the conviction that we will overcome this difficult moment and she will be walking with us.

The dispute, which has reportedly simmered for years, erupted publicly when Michelle Bolsonaro released videos accusing Flávio and other family members, also political figures, of a "coordinated attack" and humiliation. Michelle, once considered a potential presidential candidate herself, now finds herself at odds with Flávio, who announced in late 2025 that his father had chosen him as the presidential precandidate. The campaign is reportedly struggling amid revelations linking Flávio to an accused fraudster.

Flávio expressed hope for reconciliation, stating, "I have the conviction that we will overcome this difficult moment and she will be walking with us." Michelle, a devout evangelical Christian, plays a significant role in connecting with the evangelical voting bloc, which is crucial for the right-wing's success. She also actively works to mobilize women voters, a demographic that polls suggest is less inclined to support Flávio.

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Michelle Bolsonaro already is no longer just the former first lady or the wife of former President Bolsonaro. She is the person of connection and organic communication with the evangelical field.

Analysts note Michelle Bolsonaro's dual importance in expanding the evangelical and female voter bases. Her public statements have brought a long-standing family tension into the open, potentially fracturing the unity of the right-wing movement as it prepares for a challenging electoral battle against Lula da Silva.

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She has a 'double importance of expansion for the evangelical field and the female field.'