Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro has formally launched his campaign to challenge President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October’s presidential election.
He pledged tax cuts, tougher action against crime and a commitment to continue his father’s political legacy.
The launch on Saturday, featured high-profile endorsements, including a video message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an AI-generated message from former President Jair Bolsonaro, remarks by Argentine President Javier Milei and a recorded endorsement from former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro.
Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest over his alleged role in an attempt to overturn the 2022 election won by Lula, did not attend the event.
In his address, Milei criticised Lula’s administration and voiced strong support for Flavio Bolsonaro’s candidacy.
“We will continue offering our testimony everywhere against the lies of socialism,” Milei said, adding that Bolsonaro could “save” Brazil from socialism.
Brazil’s presidency did not immediately respond to the remarks.
Michelle Bolsonaro, who recently reconciled with Flavio Bolsonaro after a public dispute, also endorsed his campaign in a video message directed at women voters.
Although Flavio Bolsonaro secured his father’s endorsement in December, his campaign lost momentum earlier this year after leaked messages linked him to jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro, whom he later acknowledged had financed a film documenting Jair Bolsonaro’s political career.
His campaign has also been weighed down by his close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods, and by his inability to secure the backing of Brazil’s major centre-right parties, many of which have chosen to remain neutral.
A Datafolha poll released on Friday showed Lula leading Bolsonaro by 48 per cent to 43 per cent in a projected run-off, compared with 47 per cent to 43 per cent in June.
Despite trailing in the polls, supporters at the campaign launch expressed confidence that Bolsonaro could defeat the incumbent.
Reuters
