In the lead-up to Brazil’s presidential runoff election scheduled for Sunday, the growing influence of the country’s evangelical population is shaping political dynamics, with Pentecostal pastor Silas Malafaia playing a notable role. Malafaia, a prominent religious leader and trained psychologist, has been a key figure in mobilizing evangelical voters, who have increasingly aligned with conservative causes over the past two decades.
Malafaia, often described as a spiritual adviser to the Bolsonaro family, has publicly endorsed right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Flavio, 45, secured the most votes in the first round on October 4 and currently holds a narrow lead over the left-wing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, according to recent polls. However, published surveys indicate a tight race with a margin of less than two percentage points between them.
The evangelical demographic has expanded significantly, rising from 15 percent of Brazil’s population in 2002 to more than 25 percent today. This growth has tended to favor right-leaning candidates, with estimates suggesting that before the first round, about 70 percent of evangelical voters supported Bolsonaro, compared to roughly 20 percent backing Lula. Many evangelicals resonate with conservative positions on social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, finding these stances reflected in the Bolsonaro camp.
Malafaia’s support for Flavio Bolsonaro is part of a broader conservative agenda. He has also endorsed several right-wing congressional candidates, most of whom won their contests at the expense of centrist parties. The pastor has openly disparaged centrist politicians, accusing them of opportunism and labeling both the political center and left as detrimental to Brazil.
The Bolsonaro family's ties to the evangelical community extend beyond electoral support. Jair Bolsonaro, although not openly evangelical himself, gained substantial backing within fundamentalist churches due to his hardline positions on cultural issues like “wokeism” and communism. His wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, a practicing evangelical and 27 years younger than her husband, has also been influential. Malafaia officiated their marriage in 2013.
Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison last year for his role in attempts to overturn the 2022 election results, remains a controversial figure. His conviction followed a January 2023 riot in Brasilia during which government buildings were stormed by a crowd. Malafaia dismissed the incident as a flawed coup attempt, characterizing the rioters, in part, as “housewives” and downplaying the seriousness of the event.
Scandals have also touched Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign. Reports surfaced of private messages suggesting involvement in a party with prostitutes, though he has not commented publicly. Malafaia described Flavio’s return to church life as a response to a personal marital crisis. Similar allegations of personal misconduct affected other conservative candidates but did not prevent electoral success, indicating a degree of voter forgiveness within right-wing constituencies.
Regarding the potential governance of Brazil, Malafaia cast doubt on Jair Bolsonaro’s capacity to influence politics due to his poor health, exacerbated by injuries sustained in a stabbing during the 2018 campaign. Questions remain about whether Flavio Bolsonaro would be a stand-in for his father if elected, but Malafaia stressed that the younger Bolsonaro’s position is distinct.
As Brazilians prepare to decide between Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula, the evangelical sector continues to solidify its political power, shaping the country’s ideological landscape and influencing the outcome of one of the nation’s most closely watched elections in recent history.