See what Flavio Bolsonaro has already said about running for president

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In February, in an interview with Globo, Flavio admitted that the allied parties were looking for “viable names” to nominate a potential replacement for Jair, citing Michel Bolsonaro, Tarcisio de Freitas and himself. But he ruled out any serious negotiations at the time.

“It would be disrespectful to talk about options now,” he said, insisting that the priority was to ensure the former president’s eligibility.

Months later, in June, he adopted a similar tone when questioned by Folha de São Paulo. He said he was “flattered” by the speculation, but reiterated that he intended to focus on the Senate and, once again, on his father’s legal status, and again denied the possibility of running for president.

– Unchangeable. I’m flattered.

At the end of June, during an event on Avenida Paulista, he stated that his father had no deadline to renounce his presidential candidacy in 2026 and that the decision on whom to support in the conflict would be made “in due course” and strategically:

– What is at stake in this country, my people, is the freedom and future of our children and grandchildren. Therefore, there will be no arrogance on the part of anyone, especially President Bolsonaro, in making the right decision at the right time.

A change in tone occurred at the end of November. When his brother Eduardo began describing him as a presidential candidate online, the senator began speaking openly about the possibility. He stated to a close interviewer that “if he wanted his father, he would sacrifice” his candidacy for Planalto.

This phrase was read as the first explicit admission that he could take up this position, albeit reluctantly. Two days later, in December, after Jair Bolsonaro was arrested, Flavio was cautious again. He said live that he preferred to run for re-election to the Senate and criticized what he called family persecution: “They want to bury all the Bolsonaro family alive.”

Four days before Friday’s announcement, Flavio said, in an interview with Flow Podcast, that whoever his father nominates would compete in the second round of any election.

– He only does that when he is empty. That’s what I’m advocating there. Bolsonaro This way, parties can launch the candidates they want. “Everyone knows that from the moment Bolsonaro opens his mouth to say ‘It’s Igor’ (podcast host), you’re in round two,” he said.