PL Confirms Flávio Bolsonaro as Its Presidential Candidate

Overview

• The Partido Liberal officially launched Flávio Bolsonaro as its presidential candidate at its national convention in São Paulo on July 25, with party leaders voting to ratify his nomination.
• The campaign did not name a vice-presidential running mate and lacks formal coalitions with key Centrão parties, raising the prospect of a single-party “puro sangue” ticket and limiting radio and TV campaign time.
• Flávio is the subject of a Federal Police inquiry into alleged financial links to Banco Master and the Dark Horse documentary after an investigation authorized by Supreme Court minister André Mendonça, and a separate court order by minister Alexandre de Moraes suspended his visits to Jair Bolsonaro.
• The convention showcased right-wing regional ties and novel campaign tactics, including an AI-generated video simulating Jair Bolsonaro and a speech by Argentine president Javier Milei that the Planalto said it would closely monitor for attacks on Brazil’s electoral institutions.
• Polls reported before and after the convention show Flávio trailing President Lula in both first- and second-round scenarios, a gap that could tighten the campaign’s ability to broaden support and to attract hesitant allied parties.