Flávio Bolsonaro, the far-right frontrunner in Brazil’s presidential race, has sparked debate and concern after pledging to “re-democratise” the country if elected. Bolsonaro, 45, secured the highest vote share in the first round of the presidential election held on 1 October and is set to face incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 25 October runoff. His use of the term “re-democratise” has raised alarm among opposition politicians, historians, and political analysts, who warn of potential authoritarianism.
Brazil's current democracy was established after the end of a military dictatorship that lasted from 1964 to 1985. Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio’s father and former president, has been criticized for his praise of that authoritarian regime and was sentenced last year to 27 years in prison for orchestrating an attempted coup following his 2022 electoral defeat. Flávio Bolsonaro’s recent comments appear to echo his father’s rhetoric, although he has not provided a detailed explanation of what he means by “re-democratising” Brazil.
Critics argue that the phrase is a disguised call for undermining democratic institutions. Talíria Petrono, a left-wing congresswoman, characterized the statement as a “coup announcement.” Marcelo Freixo, a congressman from Lula’s Workers’ Party, emphasized that Brazil was already re-democratised with its 1988 constitution and accused the Bolsonaros of seeking to reverse that process. Political analysts highlight concerns that Flávio Bolsonaro’s potential presidency, bolstered by a strengthened far-right presence in Congress and legislative majorities, could facilitate changes weakening the judiciary and enabling authoritarian governance.
Prominent political commentator Miriam Leitão and political scientist Miguel Lago have pointed to recent events, such as Jair Bolsonaro’s attempted military alliance and the January 2023 riots in Brasília, as indicators of the Bolsonaros’ ambitions. Lago warned that the combination of parliamentary strength and institutional control might allow Flávio Bolsonaro to consolidate power in ways resembling a “soft coup,” with proposals to impeach Supreme Court justices antagonistic to their agenda and the possible release of Jair Bolsonaro and associates from prison.
Flávio Bolsonaro has reportedly expressed admiration for the governance style of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, whose administration has faced accusations of eroding democratic checks and balances through constitutional reforms and prolonged states of emergency. Bolsonaro’s recent meeting with Bukele’s security minister, Gustavo Villatoro, underlined an interest in leveraging legislative power to implement significant legal changes.
Some political scientists interpret Flávio Bolsonaro’s approach as part of a newer form of authoritarianism that intends to dismantle democratic institutions from within, rather than through overt military intervention. Celso Rocha de Barros described this strategy as corroding democracy by controlling state mechanisms to the point where “you are the law,” drawing comparisons to regimes like Hungary under Viktor Orbán.
Historians note that the term “democracy” has been previously manipulated in Brazil’s history to justify undemocratic military interventions, including the 1964 coup. Danilo Araújo Marques suggested that Flávio Bolsonaro’s call to “re-democratise” may reflect a desire to restore political and social conditions existing before the 1988 democratic constitution, aligning with the authoritarian legacy of the previous military regime.
In response to the growing speculation, Flávio Bolsonaro denied any intentions to complete his father’s purported plans. Speaking to reporters, he urged against spreading falsehoods, stating, “Brazil needs to go back to normal, that’s all.” Nonetheless, analysts cautioned that his rhetoric and support base warrant close attention given Brazil’s recent political history and the delicate state of its democratic institutions.