Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was confirmed as the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party this past weekend, positioning himself to challenge incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the October elections. The announcement took place in São Paulo amid a campaign marked by internal divisions and difficulties in forging alliances.

At 45, Flávio Bolsonaro remains without a running mate and lacks the broad centrist support his father once enjoyed. Attendance at the party convention was modest, with few prominent political figures present. Notably absent was Michelle Bolsonaro, Flávio’s stepmother and an influential figure among evangelical voters, who has recently had a public falling out with the senator. However, by the end of the week, the two appeared to reconcile, with Flávio issuing a public apology and Michelle responding favorably, signaling a potential stabilization within the Bolsonaro political faction.

Despite these internal challenges, Flávio Bolsonaro secured some international endorsements. Argentina’s President Javier Milei attended the convention and expressed opposition to Lula’s progressive governance, calling for change in Brazil’s policies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also offered support via a recorded message displayed at the event. The campaign is reportedly seeking further backing from former members of the U.S. Trump administration, as it attempts to build momentum abroad.

Jair Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest serving a 27-year sentence related to a failed attempt to overturn the last election results, was unable to appear publicly but was featured through an artificial intelligence-generated video tribute. Flávio Bolsonaro paid emotional homage to his father, accusing Brazil’s Supreme Court of persecution and framing the upcoming election as a moral struggle between “good and evil.”

Attempts to recruit a prominent female vice-presidential candidate have so far been unsuccessful, including efforts to bring former Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina onboard. Her Popular Party, a key supporter of Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency with significant congressional influence, has kept its distance, opting not to field its own presidential contender. Some party voices suggest this may allow Bolsonaro to run a more ideologically driven campaign and later negotiate alliances on his terms.

Political analysts note that Flávio Bolsonaro’s candidacy has been hindered by repeated controversies. Support for his campaign declined notably after his admission to soliciting funds from a jailed banker to produce a film about his father. His recent visit to the United States failed to generate significant endorsement, as new American tariffs on Brazilian exports—imposed shortly after his visit—drew criticism and concern from voters and business sectors alike.

Additionally, Bolsonaro’s public repetition of unfounded claims regarding the integrity of Brazil’s electronic voting system has echoed the rationale used by the Supreme Court to bar his father from running, further complicating his campaign narrative.

Meanwhile, the opposition is gearing up to confirm Lula’s candidacy in a convention scheduled for August 2 in São Paulo. The 80-year-old president seeks a fourth term, having previously served two consecutive terms from 2003 to 2011 before returning to office in 2023.

Observers suggest Flávio Bolsonaro faces an uphill battle, particularly in winning over moderate voters who had supported his father’s earlier campaigns. His current strategy appears focused on maintaining support among his more radical base while attempting to prevent defections ahead of the campaign’s official start in August.