The former first lady recalled that the former governor was always a notorious critic of her husband; André Fernandes, who organized the alliance, claims that he was authorized by Jair
The former first lady criticized this Sunday (30) the no’s efforts to get closer to the former governor (PSDB). The demonstration took place during the launch of the senator’s (Novo) pre-candidacy for the state government, in Fortaleza, and exposed a new internal conflict on the regional right (especially within Bolsonarism).
Michelle classified the alliance built by PL members with Ciro as “hasty”, remembering that the former governor is one of the main critics of the former president (PL). During the event, when commenting on a news article that quoted Ciro stating that he was proud of having written the complaint that led to Bolsonaro’s ineligibility in 2023, she stated that it is not possible to support someone “who compares the president’s family to chicken thieves”.
The criticism was mainly directed at the federal deputy (PL-CE), state president of the party. He was responsible for leading the approach with Ciro and is interested in making the candidacy of his father, pastor Alcides Fernandes, viable in 2026. Michelle, however, supports another name: councilor Priscila Costa, linked to the Assembly of God.
Fernandes publicly rebutted the former first lady. He said that the movement was not hasty and that the approach with Ciro would have been authorized by Jair Bolsonaro himself. According to him, on May 29, the former president asked that Ciro be put on speaker phone to reach an understanding. “If it was hasty, then it was her husband’s own doing,” she told reporters after the event.
The tension increases the internal wear and tear in the PL around the articulations for 2026. Although he is not aligned with Bolsonarism, Ciro Gomes, recently affiliated to the PSDB, is seen by Tucano allies as a potential candidate for the government of Ceará against governor Elmano de Freitas (PT), who should seek re-election.
The episode also reinforces Michelle’s role in the party’s internal discussions. Her signals about alliances and candidacies have spread to other states — such as Santa Catarina and the Federal District — and provoked resistance among allies and even among Bolsonaro’s children, who react to the possibility of her assuming an electoral role next year.
At the event in Fortaleza, Michelle was called “presidential candidate” by the former deputy (Novo-PR). Surprised, he replied off the microphone: “Me, presidential candidate?” “It is for us”, replied Deltan.
