Flávio Bolsonaro Puts Jan. 8 Amnesty at Center of Bid to Lead Right in 2026

Overview

• Flávio Bolsonaro said there is a “price” for him to step aside, signaling that approving an amnesty for January 8 defendants is a starting demand as he presses the Chamber and Senate to vote this week.
• He scheduled talks with party leaders including Antônio Rueda, Ciro Nogueira, Marcos Pereira, Valdemar Costa Neto and Rogério Marinho to gauge support and outline next steps.
• Internal PL tensions eased after Jair Bolsonaro ordered Michelle Bolsonaro and a party wing to back Flávio, with PL chief Valdemar Costa Neto publicly endorsing the choice.
• Right‑of‑center governors split: Ronaldo Caiado and Romeu Zema say they remain pre‑candidates, Jorginho Mello and Cláudio Castro voiced support, Tarcísio de Freitas stayed cautious as Ratinho Júnior kept options open.
• Fresh Datafolha results show Lula leading Flávio by 15 points in a simulated runoff, with only 8% viewing Flávio as the ideal heir for Bolsonaro’s endorsement and governors like Tarcísio and Ratinho testing closer matchups.