DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇷 Brazil /Elections & Politics

Flávio Bolsonaro Courts Northeast, Defends Bolsa Família Amidst Criticism

From Folha de S.Paulo · () Portuguese

Translated from Portuguese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former president, addressed a Liberal Party convention in João Pessoa, calling the Northeast region "the solution for Brazil."
  • He pledged to guarantee the Bolsa Família program, a key social welfare initiative, while also criticizing the Lula administration and advocating for quality job creation.
  • Bolsonaro's stance on Bolsa Família contrasts with past criticisms from both him and his father, who previously called the program a "stimulus" for having more children.

Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, made a strong appeal to the Northeast region during a Liberal Party convention in João Pessoa, declaring it "the solution for Brazil." He invoked the region's role in his father's 2018 election victory and predicted its influence in the upcoming 2026 election.

The Northeast is the solution for Brazil.

— Flávio BolsonaroAddressing a Liberal Party convention in João Pessoa

His address, delivered on the same day Lula officially launched his re-election bid, included a commitment to the Bolsa Família social program, a flagship policy of President Lula's administration. However, Bolsonaro also leveled criticism at Lula's government and the management of the state of Paraíba. He framed Bolsa Família not as an end goal, but as a temporary measure, emphasizing his vision for "quality job creation" to address unemployment among educated citizens.

It was like this in 2018, when the Northeast elected President Jair Bolsonaro, and now in 2026 it will be the Northeast that will change Brazil again.

— Flávio BolsonaroSpeaking about the importance of the Northeast region in elections

This position on Bolsa Família marks a notable shift from past statements. As a state deputy in 2006, Flávio Bolsonaro criticized the program, labeling it an "incentive" for couples to have more children. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, despite increasing the program's benefits during his presidency, also voiced criticisms as a federal deputy, suggesting it should be temporary. In 2012, Jair Bolsonaro claimed that in the Northeast, people would refuse work to avoid losing Bolsa Família benefits.

Many Paraíba residents today have a diploma hanging on their wall, but they have no job. That's what we're going to guarantee.

— Flávio BolsonaroPromising job creation

Flávio Bolsonaro also took aim at the federal debt renegotiation program, "Desenrola," and highlighted the country's record levels of indebtedness. He used the phrase "the promised picanha never arrived," ironically referencing a campaign promise by Lula, and accused the current government of wanting to keep the poor dependent. He expressed a personal dream of individuals not relying on politicians for their needs and suggested he had a plan to help people escape poverty. Without explicitly asking for votes, he urged the election of conservative candidates to Congress, advocating for new opportunities over past political figures.

The Bolsa Família is an 'incentive' for couples to have more children.

— Flávio BolsonaroPast criticism of the Bolsa Família program when he was a state deputy
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Folha de S.Paulo in Portuguese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog