Flavio Bolsonaro rallied conservative supporters across Brazil as thousands called for the release of his father, jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence. Designated last December as his father's political heir, Flavio has grown in the polls despite earlier hesitation about running. A recent AtlasIntel poll shows a near tie in a hypothetical Lula–Flavio runoff, and Flavio pledged to seek reversal of a veto that would reduce Jair Bolsonaro's sentence.
Flavio Bolsonaro Mobilises Right-Wing Base as Thousands Rally for Jailed Ex-President
An estimated 20,000 Bolsonaro supporters rallied in Sao Paulo (Nelson ALMEIDA)(Nelson ALMEIDA/AFP/AFP)
Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator from Rio de Janeiro and the son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro, spent Sunday trying to consolidate Brazil's conservative movement ahead of the October general election. Supporters staged demonstrations in several cities demanding Jair Bolsonaro's freedom and denouncing the leftist administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
In São Paulo, protesters carried signs reading "Free Bolsonaro" and "Get Out Lula," while some attendees wore caps promoting "Flavio Bolsonaro 2026." Researchers from the University of São Paulo estimated the crowd in São Paulo at about 20,000.
Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right former president, is serving a 27-year prison sentence on multiple charges linked to a failed coup attempt after his 2022 election defeat. In December, he formally anointed Flavio as his political heir, a move that produced mixed reactions within the Bolsonaro family and Brazil's broader conservative movement. Two right-wing governors have since launched separate presidential bids.
Unity, Rivalry and Political Strategy
Flavio, 44, who initially expressed hesitation about a presidential run and even suggested he might step aside for a "price," has leaned into the leadership role and gradually risen in opinion polls. At the rally he sought to project unity, appearing alongside other potential right-wing candidates and the social-media-savvy lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira.
"Together, we're not competing for votes. We're here thinking about what's best for the country," Flavio told supporters.
An AtlasIntel poll published last week suggested a hypothetical second-round matchup between President Lula and Flavio would be essentially tied, with Lula at 46.2% and Flavio at 46.3%.
Flavio pledged to press for reversal of President Lula's veto on legislation passed by Congress that would sharply reduce Jair Bolsonaro's prison term. He also said he had promised his father he would "walk alongside him into the presidential palace" if the family returns to power in 2027.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flavio's brother, addressed the rally via video from the United States, stressing the need for solidarity and framing the election as a potential route to securing amnesty for their father. From prison, Jair Bolsonaro circulated a handwritten note expressing regret about internal criticism on the right, including commentary directed at his wife, Michelle.
The gathering underlined both the strengths and strains within Brazil's right — a movement balancing loyalty to Jair Bolsonaro's legacy, the rise of new personalities such as Nikolas Ferreira, and competing ambitions among governors and family members — as the country heads toward the October 4 general election in which President Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth term.
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