Valdemar Costa Neto, president of the Partido Liberal (PL), said Jair Bolsonaro chose Senator Flávio Bolsonaro as the party's presidential candidate [1].
The announcement comes as a pivotal moment for the PL, signaling a consolidation of power within the Bolsonaro family despite visible internal fractures. The decision clarifies the party's direction for the upcoming election cycle as it navigates competing interests among its leadership.
Costa Neto said the statement on Saturday, June 27, 2026 [2], during a party event held in Goiânia, Goiás [3]. He described the selection of Flávio Bolsonaro as the “melhor escolha” — the best choice [4]. During the event, he said, “Flávio foi escolhido por Bolsonaro” [5].
This confirmation follows a period of public tension within the Bolsonaro family. Flávio Bolsonaro and his stepmother, Michelle Bolsonaro, have been engaged in a public dispute regarding the party's political strategy in Ceará [6]. The friction between the two figures has created a divide within the party's ranks over how to manage regional alliances.
Earlier this month, Costa Neto attempted to downplay the conflict. In a note issued on Thursday, June 25, 2026 [7], he addressed the friction between Flávio and Michelle. He said, “Divergências fazem parte de qualquer ambiente” [8].
Despite that earlier attempt at neutrality, Costa Neto's recent comments in Goiânia signal a firm alignment with Flávio's candidacy. While some reports previously suggested Costa Neto admired Michelle Bolsonaro's courage and signaled support for her [9], his most recent public declarations emphasize the primacy of the former president's choice in selecting his son for the ticket [10].
The PL now moves toward the election with a clear candidate, though the resolution of the dispute with Michelle Bolsonaro remains a key factor for the party's unity in the coming months.
““Flávio foi escolhido por Bolsonaro””
The confirmation of Flávio Bolsonaro as the PL candidate suggests that Jair Bolsonaro continues to exert significant influence over the party's nomination process from the sidelines. By backing his son over other potential candidates, including Michelle Bolsonaro, the party is prioritizing a direct familial succession. This move may stabilize the party's leadership hierarchy but risks alienating supporters of Michelle Bolsonaro, potentially creating a rift in the conservative base ahead of the general election.
