PT leader in São Paulo, Kiko Celeguim says that the senator wants to force Congress to issue an amnesty for Bolsonaro and other convicts
Federal deputy Kiko Celeguim (PT-SP), leader of the Workers’ Party in São Paulo, classified the pre-candidacy of senator Flavio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) as “pure blackmail”. The congressman told the column that, by saying the “price” for leaving the electoral race is amnesty for his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), convicted of a coup attempt, Flavio tries to force Congress to decide on the amnesty project.
“They are blackmailing the [presidente da Câmara dos Deputados] Hugo Motta, or [presidente do Senado] Davi Alcolumbre and the leaders of the Centrão parties to vote for Bolsonaro’s amnesty. I don’t think there’s room for this to pass through parliament,” said the deputy. Celeguim also said that he sees no chance of the project moving forward in Congress and that, therefore, the Bolsonarists “will have to maintain this candidacy until the end.”
Tarcísio “with problems” in SP
Regarding the election for governor in São Paulo, the PT member assessed that governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) “came out much smaller” after Flavio’s nomination. “He worked all the time to be a candidate for president. He won’t have the courage to form an alliance with the center parties to confront Bolsonarism. With this cold shower, he will have problems for re-election in São Paulo”, he said.
The congressman states that the PT is optimistic about Brazil’s upcoming economic data, especially with the effects of the Income Tax exemption for those earning up to R$5,000 per month. He says he believes that the government’s popularity should rise due to these numbers and that, as a result, the left-wing camp will gain ground in the richest state in the federation. “We can have a very competitive candidacy”, he concluded.
Flavio’s recommendation
Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) nominated on Friday (5) his eldest son, senator Flavio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) to run in the election for the Presidency of the Republic in 2026. The PL and the congressman himself confirmed the information.
PL president, Valdemar da Costa Neto, confirmed Bolsonaro’s choice. “Our Captain ratified the candidacy. Bolsonaro spoke, it is said,” he said.
The firstborn was not considered one of the favorites by experts. The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), is seen as the strongest name to compete for the Planalto with Lula and has strong support from leaders from Centrão, the financial market and agribusiness.
More popular than his brother among Bolsonarists, Eduardo lost strength when he left Brazil and articulated sanctions against the country in the United States. Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro is cited for “softening” the image of Bolsonarism and for its potential to win the female vote. The lack of political experience, however, weighs against her, as she entered into a collision course with her stepchildren and made the PL withdraw support for Ciro Gomes in the race for the government of Ceará.
Experienced in politics, senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who has been in the Upper House of Congress since 2019, talks more with the center, and even with the left, than his brothers. The more pragmatic characteristic tends to help in building alliances, but must suffer rejection from the more radical Bolsonarist wing.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
