Michel’s activist stance worsens relations with Bolsonaro’s sons, but may benefit Liberal Party candidates in the states

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An example is federal representative Rosanna Valle (PL), whom Waldemar mentioned this week as a potential Senate candidate in São Paulo. Her name was included in the internal search at Michelle’s request, even though she has internally shown an unwillingness to give up a less risky race for council.

If she chooses the former first lady, she will replace Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is in the United States and facing a coercion process in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) after clarifying the sanctions imposed by Donald Trump on the Brazilian authorities. The ticket also depends on the fate of São Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas (Rep), Centrao’s favorite candidate to face President Lula (PT) in 2026.

Others listed to the right of the two vacancies are Federal Representatives Guilherme Dirret (PP), Pr. Marco Feliciano (PL) and Ricardo Salles (Novo), Deputy Mayor of the capital Colonel Milo Araujo (PL), and State Rep. Tommy Abdouche (Republicans). Former governor Rodrigo García, who currently has no party, is running on the fringes – he took over as vice president for João Doria, Bolsonaro’s political opponent, but supported the captain and Tarcisio in the last election against the Workers’ Party.

Last week, Rosanna was present at an event at Palacio dos Bandeirantes to hand over Social Fund vehicles, headed by the state’s first lady, Christian Freitas, to dozens of São Paulo city councils. In addition to appearing on stage throughout the event, she posed for a photo with almost all of the beneficiaries, even as the announced amendments were signed by other parliamentarians. The representative did not stop promoting the image until she had to leave the party, which lasted longer than expected.

The party leader, who did not want to be identified, but is involved in talks about the state ticket, highlights that Rosanna is close to Tarcisio and Cristian and could emerge as a consensus name, although the governor has greater veto power than the choice of this vacancy. One relevant aspect is feminine allure, which Waldemar can use to thwart, for example, Ricardo Salles, whom he resents. Feliciano may have a similar trump card, but because he is from an evangelical background.

Another show of force by Michel occurred in the midst of municipal elections in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, in 2024. Rosanna faced Mayor Rogerio Santos at the polls, who left the PSDB in favor of the Republicans in Tarcisio. The governor avoided division, but not the former president, who attended a parade in the city and publicly criticized the former Tocano for his role in the COVID-19 pandemic. She lost with 46.6% of the votes, compared to 53.4% ​​for the mayor, in the second round.

– We are seeing this movement of women all over Brazil who are organizing themselves, taking the initiative – said Rosanna, praising her godmother. – I know that it is a difficult process, and it will not be decided now, but rather it will be decided in advance, at the appropriate time, with the responsibility of the Bolsonaro family and also the leadership of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Observing these movements, some Bolsonarian politicians sought to organize a meeting between Sales and Valdemar to calm the relationship, where even a new party migration, from Novo to Hizb ut-Tahrir, would be on the table. Salles made it untenable to remain in the party last year after he publicly attacked Waldemar’s wing when he tried to qualify for Sao Paulo’s mayoral election. The PT ended up supporting Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB), who emerged victorious, while Salles chose the influential Pablo Marsal (PRTB), contrary to Bolsonaro’s order.

Two sources close to GLOBO claimed that the movement has the sympathy of Dirit, the former secretary of public security in São Paulo, who may be interested in a dual Senate seat. It is also possible that the two could run for the government of São Paulo with Tarcisio at the federal level, but they want to avoid duplication in this case. For Salles, what suits him is that he brings together the right-wing camp with the group of Tarcisio and Bolsonaro, and because of the larger scope of the Liberal Party for the campaign.

At the event in Fortaleza that broke up the alliance considered by the Workers’ Party with former governor Ciro Gomez (PSDB), the former first lady made it clear that she would have her own opinions based on “the independence of my women’s movement, which has become the largest in history” and that Waldemar did not necessarily represent her political position – or that of her husband. It was an event in support of Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo), who is expected to run for Ceará’s executive position.

This situation angered Bolsonaro’s political children and strained the relationship with their stepmother. In a conversation with Metropolis, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro (PL), from Rio de Janeiro, said that Michelle had behaved in an “authoritarian and embarrassing” manner. He received support from Carlos and Eduardo, but later said he apologized to her for the comment. However, Centrão leaders realized that the former First Lady had achieved a political victory on the issue, through public reconciliation and review of the agreement with Cerro.

Michel remains in Ceará, supporting the name of Fortaleza’s councilor Priscilla Costa, the current vice president of the party’s women’s wing in the Senate. The state president of the PL, federal MP Andre Fernandez, who is “unauthorised” by Michel in the eyes of Bolsonaro’s children, defends the candidacy of his father, state representative and priest Alcides Fernandez (PL). The vacant seats currently being contested are held by Jirao and Cid Gomez (PSB), and former Senator Iuncio Oliveira (MDB) appears to be well placed in the polls at the moment.

Michele has also positioned herself in favor of federal MP Carol de Toni (PL) as a Senate candidate in Santa Catarina, where Councilor Carlos Bolsonaro, from Rio de Janeiro, intends to be a candidate. There is a wing of the party that wants to support Senator Esperídiao Amin (PP) as a second vote, in order to bring the party closer to the re-election ticket of Governor Jorginio Melo (PL). Another parliamentarian trying to win the elections is MP Julia Zanatta (PL). They both adopt weapons, customs, and “anti-feminist” agendas as their flags.