Flávio Bolsonaro Presses 'Irreversible' 2026 Bid as Centrão Tests Alternatives

Overview

• After meetings with party chiefs, Flávio Bolsonaro said his pre‑candidacy is irreversible and that Jair Bolsonaro, jailed since November 22, reinforced the push.
• Centrão figures expressed skepticism about his ability to tracionar votes and began weighing other right‑wing names, including Tarcísio de Freitas, Ratinho Júnior, Romeu Zema and Ronaldo Caiado.
• Flávio said he is only in the race because his father cannot run now, added he would step aside only if Jair were the candidate and recast his earlier remark about a 'price' for withdrawing as a call for Jair to be free and on the ballot.
• Allies highlighted international right‑wing signals of support via posts from Argentina’s Javier Milei, U.S. adviser Jason Miller and Spain’s Santiago Abascal, and cited a Veritá poll showing a technical tie with Lula.
• PT president Edinho Silva dismissed the move as a negotiation tactic linked to Jair Bolsonaro’s detention and said the party is focused on arriving strong for Lula’s reelection bid.