Former ministers in the Bolsonaro government, and released on social media, last Tuesday (17), a video in which they are together and in which they request a vote for . Experts consulted by Sheet they see early election propaganda.
In the recording, Machado says that “we have to chase the election of Flávio Bolsonaro in the Northeast this year.” Later, Queiroga states to the camera: “Now, in 2026, look, you who are an admirer of , you vote for Flávio Bolsonaro.”
By law, the electoral campaign begins after August 15th. Any disclosure or manifestation requesting a vote before this date is irregular. The fine for violation is R$5,000 to R$25,000 (or equivalent to the cost of advertising, if higher).
HAS Sheet Queiroga states that the speech does not constitute advance electoral propaganda, but a “manifestation of political opinion in a general context”. He says there is no request for a vote or reference to a specific election, position in dispute or electoral period.
“[T]I have the constitutional right to express positions and preferences in public debate, which is fully legitimate in a democracy”, he states, reinforcing that “there was no formal campaign, direct request for a vote or any typical structure of electoral propaganda”.
The report attempted to contact Machado and his party, , but received no response at the time of publication.
HAS Sheet former minister of the (Superior Electoral Court) Marcelo Ribeiro says there is “clearly” a “character of early electoral propaganda”, despite no reference to the position. The former president’s son is a pre-candidate for President. “This is public and notorious,” says Ribeiro.
Lawyer and professor Delosmar Mendonça Junior, from Abradep (Brazilian Academy of Electoral and Political Law), also says that the fact can be framed as advance propaganda. For him, there is “a direct request, with mention of the candidacy and motivation for the voter”.
According to the expert, if there is eventually representation by a party or by the TSE, ministers should impose a fine on those responsible.
The publication was made two days after a post by Machado in which he appears affixing a sticker to a motorcycle similar to the one that appears in the video with Queiroga. The material contains the words “The Northeast is with Flávio Bolsonaro 2026”.
In reaction to this post, the federal deputy (-RJ), deputy leader of the government in Congress, contacted the TSE last Wednesday (18). He accuses Machado and the former president’s son of carrying out early electoral propaganda.
The PT member says that the “content brings together typical campaign elements, such as nominal identification of the beneficiary, direct reference to the election and an explicit message of electoral support, constituting an attempt to anticipate the dispute and influence the electorate unduly.”
According to the congressman, in addition to removing the content and imposing a fine, the representation requests that the case be forwarded to the Public Electoral Ministry to investigate possible abuse of political power and misuse of the media.
“It is essential that it acts to guarantee respect for the electoral calendar and preserve the legitimacy of the elections, preventing candidacies from being promoted in advance in violation of current legislation”, he concludes.
On social media, Machado made a post about PT representation. He shared a text, stating that the measure is a “smokescreen” to cover up the (PT) of Academicos de Niterói, which took place on Sunday (15).
As shown by Sheetthe parade in honor of the president also creates a loophole for electoral conviction. Experts.
On Thursday (12), he rejected, in a unanimous decision, barring the samba-enredo, but he did it. After the parade, the Novo party announced that it was asking for Lula’s ineligibility.
