Valdemar Costa Neto, president of the Liberal Party (PL), said Michelle Bolsonaro does not want to participate in Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign [1, 2].
This potential rift within the Bolsonaro family threatens the party's strategic coordination for the 2026 elections. If the former first lady withdraws from her own bid for the Senate, it could diminish the PL's influence and visibility in key electoral regions [1, 2].
Speaking in an interview on Rádio Gaúcha in Rio Grande do Sul on July 2, Costa Neto said that Michelle Bolsonaro does not want to be part of the campaign for her stepson [1, 2]. He said that she might not be a candidate for senator [2].
The tension follows a public conflict between the two. Last week, Michelle Bolsonaro published videos exposing a clash with Flávio Bolsonaro and said she felt "humiliated by him" [3].
However, other party figures have contradicted these claims. Celina Leão said Michelle will not leave the PL nor desist from her candidacy [1].
Costa Neto's remarks suggest a deepening divide that exceeds typical political disagreement—it is a personal conflict manifesting as a political crisis. The PL must now navigate whether to reconcile the family members or pivot their strategy to account for a potential vacancy in the Senate race [1, 2].
“"Michelle não quer participar da campanha de Flávio Bolsonaro"”
The internal instability within the Bolsonaro family creates a volatile environment for the PL. If Michelle Bolsonaro withdraws, the party loses a high-profile candidate with significant grassroots appeal, potentially weakening the right-wing coalition's momentum heading into the final stages of the 2026 election cycle.
