Bolsonaro‘s Eldest Son Announces 2026 Presidential Bid From Prison Support
BRASÍLIA, Brazil – Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, announced friday he will run for president in 2026, acting on a decision made by his father who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence. The announcement positions Flávio Bolsonaro as the candidate of the Liberal Party to challenge current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,who is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term.
Jair Bolsonaro was arrested last month after being convicted of attempting a coup and is already barred from running for office until 2030 in a separate case. Despite his imprisonment, Bolsonaro reportedly instructed his son to represent their political group and pursue the presidency.
“It is with grate responsibility that I confirm the decision of Brazil’s greatest political and moral leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, to entrust me with the mission of continuing our national project,” Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Flávio Bolsonaro, currently a Senator elected in 2018 for an eight-year term after previously serving as a state legislator in Rio de Janeiro, visited his father in prison on Tuesday, according to his office. The Senator’s office confirmed to The Associated Press his intention to challenge President Lula da Silva.
While São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a former member of Jair Bolsonaro’s cabinet, was previously considered a potential successor, he faced opposition from within Bolsonaro’s inner circle, who also viewed Flávio Bolsonaro as a viable option.
Flávio Bolsonaro was previously investigated for alleged embezzlement of public funds related to his family’s political offices, but the charges were ultimately dismissed by the courts. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Despite the controversies and his father’s imprisonment, Bolsonaro remains a important force in Brazil’s deeply polarized political landscape. Analysts suggest that securing Bolsonaro’s explicit support and his established electoral base will be crucial for any opposition candidate hoping to mount a competitive challenge against Lula da Silva in 2026.
