PL chief seeks Bolsonaro family truce before convention

Valdemar Costa Neto and Michelle Bolsonaro Beto Barata/PL Liberal Party (PL) national chair, Valdemar Costa Neto, said Wednesday (8) that he will work over the next 20 days to reconcile the party’s presidential hopeful, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of Rio de Janeiro, and former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro. That is the time left before the PL’s national convention, scheduled for July 25, which will formalize the candidacy of Flávio, eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The PL leader also discussed the profile he sees as ideal for Flávio’s running mate and the party’s expectations for a Supreme Court appeal seeking to annul Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction. The case is being reported by Justice Kassio Nunes Marques. Costa Neto referred to Supreme Court Chief Justice Edson Fachin as a man “of the left, but honest.” Michelle-Flávio spat exposes internal realignment of Bolsonarism Analysis: Liberal Party undercuts Michelle with opposition to fast-tracking Misogyny Bil “We cannot go into this fighting inside our own house. We have to settle this within 20 days so we can choose a direction, because our national convention will be on the 25th,” Costa Neto told reporters after a lunch with lawmakers and business leaders hosted by the parliamentary fronts for a Competitive Brazil and for Entrepreneurship. Asked whether Jair Bolsonaro sided with his son or with Michelle in the dispute, Costa Neto said the former president is suffering and warned that the disagreement could lead to defeat in the election. “It is the children against the wife; it is difficult. They have to come to an understanding, otherwise we are going to lose the election and he will spend another 10 years in prison,” he warned. Family dispute The dispute was triggered by a video released 10 days ago in which Michelle accused Flávio of mistreating and humiliating her, hurting his campaign especially among women and evangelical voters. After the episode, she stepped back from the national presidency of PL Mulher, the party’s women’s wing. “She is a great leader, and we need her with us,” Costa Neto said. Earlier, during his remarks at the lunch, the PL leader had created suspense by saying that “a lot can happen” in the next 20 or 30 days and that there would be “many surprises.” In that context, he mentioned not only the conflict between Flávio and Michelle, but also the party’s expectations for the Supreme Court appeal filed in May by Jair Bolsonaro’s defense, which seeks to overturn his conviction for attempting a coup d’état and his sentence of 27 years and three months in prison. Costa Neto suggested a decision on the appeal could come within 20 or 30 days. When asked about that later by reporters, he declined to elaborate. “It depends on the Supreme Court,” he said. He also celebrated the fact that Bolsonaro’s appeal has Justice Nunes Marques as rapporteur and Justice André Mendonça as reviewer. Both were appointed by Bolsonaro. Still discussing expectations around the appeal, Costa Neto recalled that in the 2018 election, Justice Fachin issued a favorable decision at the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) on an appeal that would have allowed then-presidential hopeful Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to run that year. Fachin, however, was outvoted, and Lula was replaced by Fernando Haddad of the Workers’ Party (PT). Running mate Costa Neto was also asked whether economist Daniella Marques, who has accompanied Flávio at events and meetings, could be the running mate on the ticket. He praised her but said she does not bring votes. “We need to bring in someone who has votes,” he said. He then said he had supported Senator Tereza Cristina of the Progressive Party (PP) for the vice-presidential slot because she has charisma and a large party behind her, but added that he had learned she has other political plans. “She has everything. She has prestige throughout Brazil, she is respected, and we need someone like that,” Costa Neto said. Behind the scenes, Tereza Cristina is seen as a strong candidate for Senate president in 2027. Costa Neto ruled out replacing Flávio with another name from the PL or the right. “That does not exist. It does not cross our minds,” he said. He then added one caveat: “Only if it is his father.” Costa Neto did not explain further. Even if Justice Nunes Marques were to issue a favorable decision in the criminal review, it would not be enough to make Jair Bolsonaro eligible, since that would depend on the full bench of the TSE. Asked whether Jair Bolsonaro’s health would allow him to sustain a campaign, Costa Neto said the former president’s emotional condition from being imprisoned, even under house arrest, has worsened his health. “If he were free, he would get better. He would be jumping for joy. He would recover immediately,” he joked. .Costa Neto also said he would meet later Wednesday with the leadership of Republicans and Podemos, parties he hopes will join the coalition supporting Flávio. He added that he is also working to bring the Brazil Union and Progressive federation into the presidential campaign