From Prison, Bolsonaro Taps Son Flávio as PL’s 2026 Presidential Pick

Overview

• PL president Valdemar Costa Neto affirmed the party will honor Jair Bolsonaro’s decision, and Flávio Bolsonaro accepted the role saying he will carry forward his father’s project.
• Ronaldo Caiado said he respects the move but will remain a pre-candidate, Romeu Zema called Flávio’s entry “makes sense” while keeping his own bid, and PL governors like Cláudio Castro and Jorginho Mello declared support.
• Flávio said Tarcísio de Freitas privately offered full support, yet as of Saturday the São Paulo governor had made no public statement on the pick.
• Positioning himself to unify the right, Flávio urged Congress to approve an amnesty this year for those convicted over January 8 and announced immediate nationwide political outreach.
• Financial managers linked a drop in the Ibovespa and a stronger dollar to the announcement, and a new Datafolha survey shows Lula at 41% to Flávio’s 18% in a first round and 51% to 36% in a hypothetical runoff, as Centrão figures question the ticket’s ability to unite the field.