Tarcísio pledges support for Flávio Bolsonaro’s presidential candidacy

Ciro Nogueira sees Tarcísio and Ratinho Jr. as more viable candidates than Flávio. Flávio asserts that his candidacy is irreversible, stating, ‘my price is justice’. The dollar falls and Ibovespa rises after Flávio Bolsonaro suggests a ‘price’ to withdraw. “President Bolsonaro is someone I highly respect. I have always said I would be loyal to Bolsonaro, that I am grateful to him. I have this loyalty, which is non-negotiable. Flávio mentioned Bolsonaro’s choice of him, and that’s it. Flávio will have our support. Flávio now joins other prominent opposition figures who have already put forward their names,” said the governor after an event in Diadema (SP), mentioning other governors in his political circle. When asked about the strategy surrounding the senator, he stated that there is still time. ‘This will be evaluated over time. It’s still early, and we have time for maturation.’ Although Tarcísio claims he will seek re-election as governor in 2026, he was also rumored to be considering a presidential candidacy. However, the governor had indicated to close allies that he would only run with Jair Bolsonaro’s (PL) support. Tarcísio met with Flávio last Friday and stated that the candidate will have to ‘think about Brazil.’ ‘The responsibility falling on his [Flávio’s] shoulders now is to discuss the future of Brazil,’ he declared. Tarcísio believes the competition should gradually take shape, culminating in a convergence of projects in the second round. ‘We will have several candidates, several projects that will converge into one candidate in the second round. Even from an electoral strategy standpoint, this is positive. We already have some names announced, while others are yet to come. Ultimately, this combination of names and capabilities will be beneficial for this center-right political field,’ he remarked. According to the governor, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro now plays a significant role within this political arrangement. ‘There are many issues that will require planning, effort, and leadership, and Flávio is now stepping forward to be part of, lead, and spearhead this project,’ he affirmed. Assessing the other candidates vying for the Presidency, Tarcísio suggested that the right-wing should field multiple candidates in 2026, deeming this move positive for the opposition field. He claimed that having a variety of names enriches the debate and strengthens the construction of a common project. ‘The multitude of names will contribute to the end result. By having more people engaging in opposition, more ideas will be brought forth. We need a shared project to tackle Brazil’s structural issues,’ he asserted. Tarcísio also took the opportunity to intensify his criticism against the PT governments while advocating for a structural planning agenda for the country. According to him, ‘for many years, we have failed to think about the future,’ and Brazil is experiencing stagnation due to a lack of leadership and long-term vision. He emphasized that the country is facing institutional exhaustion and a lack of strategic vision. ‘What we need is to move away from the status quo. It hasn’t worked, it’s outdated. For 40 years, we have been discussing the same things without any perspective; we are headed in the wrong direction,’ he highlighted, suggesting that the electoral debate should focus on tackling the roots of Brazil’s delay.