Bolsonaro’s son confirms ‘irreversible’ election bid

After Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro said his decision to run for president in 2026 was “irreversible” and suggested he might step aside over the weekend, President Luiz Inacio Lula also reaffirmed that he would challenge Silva.

The politician spoke to reporters after visiting his father, former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula.

“I told him that this candidacy is irreversible,” the younger Bolsonaro said on Tuesday.

“And in his own words, ‘we won’t be coming back.’ “Now is the time to talk to people so we can keep the right people on our side.”

The senator first announced on Friday that his father was endorsing him in the presidential race, shaking markets that had bet that a more experienced, market-friendly candidate like Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas would consolidate support on the right.

Freitas said Monday he would support Flavio.

The politician thanked Freitas and said he understood the market’s reaction due to “concerns” that Lula could remain in office for another four years, adding that his candidacy would now gain traction to challenge the leftist leader.