Flávio Bolsonaro changes campaign manager after Dark Horse case

The pre-campaign of Flávio Bolsonaro is undergoing a significant shake-up in its communication strategy following the fallout from his association with Daniel Vorcaro, the owner of Banco Master. This move, which sees the departure of long-time associate and campaign manager Marcello Lopes, signals an attempt to regain control of the narrative and mitigate damage from the 'Dark Horse' film sponsorship controversy.

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The crisis generated by Flávio Bolsonaro's relationship with Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, led the senator's pre-campaign to replace his campaign manager, Marcello Lopes, a friend of the pre-candidate.

The appointment of Eduardo Fischer, a seasoned publicist, as the new head of communications indicates a strategic pivot. The campaign's internal assessments, based on polling data, suggest a belief that the controversy, while damaging, is containable. A significant portion of those surveyed reportedly view Bolsonaro's request for sponsorship as an error, yet a majority also believe he did not personally profit from the deal. This nuanced public perception is what the new team will likely aim to leverage.

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The pre-campaign has been monitoring daily variations in voting intentions, the so-called trackings. At this point, internal numbers indicate the calcification of the polarized electorate, loyal to the Bolsonarista or the PTist, but there is variation in the independent group, which can decide the election.

This restructuring occurs amidst ongoing scrutiny of Bolsonaro's financial dealings and his family's activities. The campaign is closely monitoring daily shifts in voter intention, particularly within the independent voter bloc, which is seen as crucial in the polarized electoral landscape. The decision to bring in Fischer and re-evaluate the communication approach stems from criticisms regarding the campaign's initial response to leaked conversations between Bolsonaro and Vorcaro. The goal is to be better prepared for future scandals and to clarify the flow of funds, especially concerning the American fund and Brazilian production company involved in the film's financing. The campaign's efforts to explain the situation to party colleagues and financial market representatives underscore the high stakes involved in navigating this complex political and financial entanglement.

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The restructuring of the team is based on the evaluation by pre-campaign coordinators that the response to the disclosure, by the website The Intercept Brasil, of conversations between Flávio and Vorcaro was poor.