Flávio Bolsonaro’s 2026 Bid Meets Pushback From Centrão as PT Shrugs

Overview

• Senator Flávio Bolsonaro confirmed he was tapped by his father, Jair Bolsonaro, to lead the PL ticket for the 2026 presidential race.
• PT president Edinho Silva said the bid cannot be taken seriously and argued any right‑wing nominee will start by capturing a sizable slice of polarization.
• Key Centrão figures signaled skepticism, with PSD’s Gilberto Kassab and Republicanos’ Marcos Pereira skipping a dinner with Flávio as party leaders court alternatives such as Ratinho Júnior if Tarcísio de Freitas stays out.
• Estadão reported that Flávio suggested there could be a 'price' to step aside, with discussion of concessions for Jair Bolsonaro, including amnesty, presented as part of the political bargaining.
• PT is centering delivery of economic and social policies and is urging urgent regulation of digital platforms, citing ABIN concerns about Big Tech’s power to tilt elections, with campaign tactics expected to crystallize by mid‑2026.