Ankara: Brazil's Liberal Party officially nominated Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, as their presidential candidate. The nomination was announced during a party convention held in Sao Paulo, where the 45-year-old senator vowed to continue his father's political agenda in the upcoming election against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
According to Anadolu Agency, Flavio Bolsonaro addressed the convention, asserting his commitment to his father's legacy while criticizing the current administration under Lula. He accused the government of fostering corruption, raising taxes, suppressing dissent, and limiting freedoms. Flavio also condemned the Federal Supreme Court and Justice Alexandre de Moraes, alleging political persecution against his father, who is currently under house arrest.
Flavio Bolsonaro laid out his campaign goals, which include advocating for tax reductions, bolstering a center-right majority in Congress, imposing stricter punishments on criminals, holding youths accountable for severe crimes, increasing penalties for violence against women, and implementing chemical castration for child rape offenders. Despite initially closing a 15-point gap with President Lula, a recent Datafolha poll indicates that Lula now leads with 48% support compared to Flavio's 43% in a potential runoff.
This marks Flavio Bolsonaro's first run for the presidency. He was elected to the Brazilian Senate in 2018, having previously served four terms as a state representative in Rio de Janeiro. He also ran for Rio's mayoral position in 2016, finishing in fourth place. Due to his house arrest, the elder Bolsonaro could not attend the convention. Instead, an AI-generated video featuring his likeness and voice was shown, along with a recorded message of support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Argentine President Javier Milei, present at the convention, criticized President Lula and urged Brazilian voters to reject the left-wing government. Highlighting the shift away from socialism in other Latin American countries, Milei expressed hope that Brazil would follow suit in the upcoming election.