Brazil's Bolsonaro backs eldest son's bid for presidency

Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of Brazil's jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro, said his father has chosen him to lead his far-right Liberal Party and run for president in next year's election.

"It is with great responsibility that I confirm the decision of Brazil's greatest political and moral leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, to entrust me with the mission of continuing our national project," the younger Bolsonaro wrote on X on Friday.

His father was sentenced in September to a 27-year prison term for planning a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to current leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Shakeup for Brazil's 2026 general elections

Flavio Bolsonaro was elected to Brazil's senate in 2018 for an eight-year term after previously serving as a state legislator in Rio de Janeiro.

He is considered extreme on law-and-order issues, having even requested US airstrikes on boats in Rio de Janeiro to combat drug trafficking.

In his social media announcement, which included a picture of him kissing his father on the head, Bolsonaro said he "will not stand idle while families lose hope and democracy is crumbling."

Bolsonaro was previously accused of embezzling public funds tied to his family's political offices. Prosecutors brought charges, but the courts dismissed the case.

He has maintained his innocence throughout.

His announcement on Friday makes him an instant contender to challenge Lula in next year's election.

"Flavio told me our captain [Jair Bolsonaro] confirmed his pre-candidacy. If Bolsonaro said so, that's all there is to it!" Liberal Party president Valdemar Costa Neto said.