In the message, he stated that “in RJ and SP, we will be together and with Jair Bolsonaro in any scenario”, adding that ‘my only certainty is that Lula will no longer be president of Brazil from 2027’
Amid debates about the succession of the former president, the senator (PL-RJ) published a photo next to the governor of São Paulo, (Republicans), in a clear demonstration of unity between the main names on the right. In the message, Flávio stated that “in RJ and SP, we will be together and with Jair Bolsonaro in any scenario”, adding that “my only certainty is that Lula will no longer be president of Brazil from 2027!”.
Although he raised speculation about possible candidacies, Flávio did not detail which positions the two would run for in 2026. Elected senator in 2018, he will need to seek a new term if he decides to remain in the Senate – or risk everything if he chooses to run for President. If he contests and loses, he would be without a mandate.
Tarcísio de Freitas, in turn, faces similar dilemmas. Elected governor of São Paulo in 2022, he has high popularity in the polls and has not yet faced strong competitors for re-election. Among the Bolsonaro allies, there is disagreement over whether to support Flávio or Tarcísio: the senator has the symbolic weight of the Bolsonaro surname and a relatively united family base, while Tarcísio is seen as a more “moderate” name and with transit in the economic center, thanks to his experience as a manager.
The photograph and Flávio’s statement reinforce an attempt to gather support to avoid dissent on the right, at a crucial moment to define who will face the PT in the 2026 presidential race.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
