Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, on Saturday formally launched his campaign to challenge President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October’s presidential election, pledging tax cuts, a tougher approach to crime and a continuation of his father’s political agenda.
Launching his bid before supporters in São Paulo, Bolsonaro said he was committed to carrying forward his father’s legacy.
The event featured messages of support from Argentine President Javier Milei, former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, an AI-generated message from the former president, and a video address from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest over his alleged role in efforts to overturn the 2022 election that brought Lula to power, did not attend the event in person.
Milei used his address to criticise Lula’s government and expressed confidence in 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.
READ ALSO: Brazil Announces Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Visitors
Michelle Bolsonaro, who recently reconciled with Flavio Bolsonaro following a public disagreement, also endorsed his campaign in a recorded message aimed at women voters.
Flavio Bolsonaro secured his father’s endorsement in December, but 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 about his father’s political career.
His campaign has also been affected by his close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods, and by difficulties in securing the backing of Brazil’s centre-right parties, many of which have opted to remain neutral.
A Datafolha opinion poll released on Friday showed Lula leading Bolsonaro by 48 per cent to 43 per cent in a potential run-off election, widening slightly from 47 per cent to 43 per cent recorded in June.
Despite the polling gap, supporters at the campaign launch expressed confidence that Bolsonaro could unseat the incumbent.
