Allies of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) mocked the speech of the first lady of São Paulo, Cristiane Freitas, who stated, when commenting in a publication by governor Tarcíso de Freitas (Republicans), that “Brazil needs a new CEO”.
The speech was interpreted as if the first lady defended Tarcísio as a candidate for Planalto from the center-right camp, although the governor’s advisors stated that they only agreed with the post he made, in which he said that in order to manage Brazil it would be necessary to “reduce the state”. Cristiane wrote: “Our country needs a new CEO, my husband!”
The criticism of the first lady of São Paulo occurs amid pressure for Tarcísio to position himself more emphatically in support of the first-born son of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), who was chosen by the former president to represent him at the polls.
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In parallel, the governor appears as a viable name to run for President. This Tuesday, former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro (PL) published a video, in which Tarcísio de Freitas appears criticizing the economic policy of the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
When contacted, Flávio Bolsonaro did not respond.
While part of the supporters saw it as a “diplomatic” nod to Tarcísio, others saw it as an attempt to reinforce the governor’s name as still viable in the presidential race. Although Michelle publicly reinforces her endorsement of Flávio, this would not be her preference. Last year, she came to publicly disagree with her stepchildren over party articulations, which exposed a dispute for protagonism in the Bolsonaro clan.
Bolsonaro influencer Paulo Figueiredo was one of those who criticized Cristiane’s speech.
“Bolsonaroism doesn’t want a CEO. This is stupid positivism, typical of militiamen […] Bolsonarism is born from the antithesis of this, as a reaction to this logic — not against order or competence, but against the idea that the people must be permanently protected by a technocratic elite that treats the nation as if it were a poorly managed company”, he wrote on his social networks.
Bolsonaro’s 2nd son, councilor Carlos Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), was ironic. He posted on Instagram an image of former governor João Doria holding a magazine with his own photo on the cover. The title says: “João Dória, the CEO of São Paulo”.
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Flávio asks for calm
Also this Tuesday, senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) asked that the governor of São Paulo not be charged with more emphatic support for his pre-candidacy for the Planalto. Flávio said he “trusts the loyalty” of his ally and is sure that he will be on the governor’s platform. Tarcísio was considered the favorite to represent the center-right camp in this year’s elections, but saw his plans become more difficult after Bolsonaro chose Flávio for the mission.
Although he is not ruled out to run for president and appears well in opinion polls, party chiefs from the Centrão believe that he should be content with re-election to Palácio Bandeirantes. So far, the nods of support for Flávio have been timid. As O GLOBO showed last week, a month after the announcement of Flávio’s pre-campaign, although the governor has said more than once that he will support him, allies say he will need to be more incisive.
Although he has said more than once that he will support Flávio’s venture, especially after questions from journalists, Tarcísio did not mention the senator in any of the 42 posts he made on Instagram during the period.
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— I spoke to him while I was in the United States. He has already stated that he will support me, so let’s not pressure him. I trust his loyalty. The platform in São Paulo, with a governor who is highly rated and delivers, like Tarcísio, is the dream of any candidate — he stated.
According to Tarcísio’s allies, after Jair Bolsonaro gave the go-ahead for Flávio to run for president, the senator called the governor to tell him about the decision, and later called his ally other times. Still according to people close to him, Tarcísio is willing to “help with whatever is needed”, as requested by the head of the ticket.
For these interlocutors, the governor has welcomed Flávio’s visits to Faria Lima leaders, although he has not helped organize the meetings. To GLOBO, the president of a Centrão party states that when the “campaign heats up”, Tarcísio will get involved in Flávio’s electoral endeavor.
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The governor’s lack of commitment in the pre-campaign, however, is already causing a reaction from Bolsonarist allies in Alesp. Three weeks ago, during the last sessions of the year, state deputy Gil Diniz (PL-SP) said that the governor should even sign a document ensuring support for Flávio.
— My pre-candidate for president is called Flávio Bolsonaro. I would also like the governor to be clearer in his positions. He gave public support to Flávio, but I would even like him to sign a commitment, if possible, that here in São Paulo, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro will have the biggest platform any presidential candidate has ever seen — defended Diniz.
In the same week, days after Flávio announced his pre-candidacy, Tarcísio even expressed support for the senator, but signaled that there would be other candidacies in the conservative field and, in the subsequent days, made no further references to the matter.
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