Bolsonaro launches presidential bid amid international backing and domestic isolation
The formal commencement of Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign for the Brazilian presidency has drawn sharp criticism over foreign interference allegations and election integrity claims, even as it secured endorsements from Israeli and Argentine leaders.
Flavio Bolsonaro formally inaugurated his presidential campaign on Saturday, positioning himself as the primary right-wing challenger to incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Speaking to members of his father’s Liberal Party, the candidate framed the contest as a moral struggle, stating it marked the beginning of the toughest battles of their lives and a fight between good and evil.
The launch event was distinguished by high-profile endorsements from international right-wing figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Argentine President Javier Milei. Milei delivered a fiery speech in person, having flown to Brazil the night before the event, where he also met with Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas. Netanyahu provided support via a pre-recorded video message, praising Bolsonaro as a champion of Brazil and of the friendship between the two nations.
Despite the international fanfare, the campaign faces significant domestic headwinds. Recent polling indicates that Bolsonaro is trailing Lula, and the event was marked by the absence of prominent Brazilian politicians. Centre-right parties have largely kept their distance from the bid, underscoring a sense of isolation for the candidate within the country’s political establishment.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio’s father, was unable to attend in person as he serves a 27-year prison sentence following his conviction for a coup attempt after losing the 2022 election. His presence was limited to an AI-generated video message shown during the convention.
The campaign has attracted scrutiny over alleged attempts to leverage ties with US President Donald Trump’s administration. Brazil recently denied visas to two Trump administration officials who sought to meet with election authorities to discuss freedom of expression related to the elections, a move reported by the AFP news agency.
Critics have also condemned the repeated dissemination of false claims regarding the reliability of Brazil’s election infrastructure. These assertions are viewed by many as a pretext for potentially denying the legitimacy of the voting process should Bolsonaro lose to Lula.
As the campaign enters its active phase, the Workers Party is scheduled to hold its own convention on 2 August to formally confirm the re-election bid of the 80-year-old president.
