PL Backs Flávio Bolsonaro for 2026, With Jan. 8 Amnesty Push Now the Priority

Overview

• Flávio Bolsonaro confirmed he will start negotiations for a presidential bid and urged Congress to approve an amnesty for January 8 defendants before the year‑end recess.
• PL president Valdemar Costa Neto publicly validated Flávio as Jair Bolsonaro’s indicated name, and Michelle Bolsonaro signaled support after Jair Bolsonaro told party allies to line up behind the choice.
• Reactions among governors were mixed as PL leaders like Cláudio Castro and Jorginho Mello backed the move, while Ronaldo Caiado, Romeu Zema and Eduardo Leite kept their pre‑candidacies and Tarcísio de Freitas stayed silent.
• Fresh Datafolha results show Lula leading Flávio by 51% to 36% in a simulated runoff, with higher rejection for Bolsonaro family names and only 8% of voters preferring Flávio as Jair Bolsonaro’s chosen heir versus 22% for Michelle and 20% for Tarcísio.
• Some allies and analysts interpret Flávio’s elevation as an effort to preserve the family’s centrality and to increase pressure on Congress and the Centrão for a swift amnesty vote.