An ally of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), pastor Silas Malafaia once again defended that the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), be the name of the right in the dispute for the Palácio do Planalto. For Malafaia, the pre-candidacy of senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) “did not excite the right”.
In an interview with SBT Newsthe religious leader stated that there are other qualified cadres in the conservative field – such as governors Ratinho Jr. (PSD), from Paraná, Romeu Zema (Novo), from Minas Gerais, and Ronaldo Caiado (União), from Goiás -, but assessed that the election requires more than “competence”. According to him, beating President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) involves building a front that brings together the center and the right, something that, in his opinion, Tarcísio can do more easily.
Malafaia also mentioned former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro (PL) as an electoral asset, citing her ability to dialogue with women and evangelicals. “The pure right does not win the election”, he stated, defending a candidacy with greater “capillarity” and support beyond the Bolsonarist core.
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The pastor also argued that the fact that the left reacted more intensely to Tarcísio – and not to Flávio – would be an indication of who represents a real threat in the election. “I don’t see Flávio having the muscle to defeat Lula,” he said, highlighting that he had no personal objections to the senator, but insisting that his eventual candidacy “didn’t excite the right.”
Malafaia also questioned Bolsonaro’s choice of his son Flávio as a Bolsonaro candidate, suggesting that the senator had taken advantage of his father’s emotional state.
According to Malafaia, the way the decision was conducted reveals political fragility. “I thought it was an affront, for a father, emotionally weakened, for his son to go there, alone, and tell him: ‘Hey, I’m a candidate’. Then, the son goes there and makes the father write: ‘I’m a candidate’. I think this is political amateurism, taking advantage of a moment of Bolsonaro’s emotional weakness”, he stated.
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In Malafaia’s assessment, Tarcísio’s decision to withdraw from visiting Bolsonaro in Papudinha, in Brasília, this Thursday (22), is due to Flávio’s recent statements. To the The Globethe senator stated that the governor would hear from Bolsonaro that his re-election in São Paulo is “fundamental for the national strategy” and that a presidential candidacy for the governor would be ruled out.
“In my view, Tarcísio said: ‘I’m not going now, I’m going to let it go. I’m not going under this pressure, that I’m going to get there to be a little lamb’. That’s my view of what I’m witnessing now, I didn’t speak to Tarcísio. I’m giving my opinion and my vision”, he said.
According to the São Paulo State Communications Secretariat (Secom), the meeting between governor Tarcísio de Freitas and former president Jair Bolsonaro was postponed due to a scheduling conflict. A new date will be scheduled.
However, as shown by the Estadãothe governor’s agenda only foresees internal commitments at Palácio dos Bandeirantes, headquarters of the state government.
