São Paulo governor meets Bolsonaro as Brazil’s right struggles to pick 2026 candidate
São Paulo Governor Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas has met with former president Jair Bolsonaro at his home in Brasília, where Bolsonaro is serving house arrest.
The visit, also attended by Bolsonaro’s sons Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and councillor Jair Renan, comes at a delicate moment as Brazil’s right seeks to define its candidate for the 2026 presidential race.
Although Tarcísio included the trip to Brasília in his official schedule, he made no mention of the meeting with Bolsonaro. According to Brazilian media, discussions centred on the 2026 candidacy to succeed Bolsonaro, as well as a proposed bill in Congress that would reduce sentences for those convicted over the attempted coup.
A month ago, Tarcísio was considered a strong contender for the presidency, backed by centrist leaders. However, his chances now appear to be shifting towards seeking re-election in São Paulo, particularly as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva may put forward his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin, a three-time governor of the state.
For some, delaying until 2030 could open a path for the right to regain power in a post-Lula scenario. Tarcísio is viewed favourably by business circles and centrist blocs, but loyalists within the Bolsonaro movement remain sceptical, questioning whether he is radical enough and noting that he has not pledged to pardon Bolsonaro.
Meanwhile, the Bolsonaro family is weighing its own options. Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro has signalled she could run with the family’s full backing, while Eduardo Bolsonaro, currently based in the United States, positions himself as a representative of the movement’s hard-line wing, despite polling poorly.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
