Things Keep Getting Worse for Brazil’s Bolsonaro Dynasty
After the conviction of Jair Bolsonaro for trying to overthrow Brazilian democracy, his far-right movement had to find a new presidential candidate. His son Flávio has picked up the baton, but his campaign is already plagued by scandals.
An upcoming film featuring Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel will depict Brazil’s ex-President Jair Bolsonaro as the ultimate martyr. But his personality cult does not seem to be helping his son Flavio in his scandal-ridden bid for the presidency. (Evaristo Sa / AFP via Getty Images)
As Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva campaigns for a fourth term in office ahead of this October’s general election, the Brazilian right is struggling to keep up with the country’s popular left-wing leader. The right-wing political vacuum created by the conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro left many questioning who would take on the Bolsonarist cause — still the overwhelming force among Brazilian conservatives.
In the end, Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son, and himself a veteran politician, took on the mantle and is currently Lula’s main opponent for the leadership of Brazil. However, a series of financial and personal scandals that have developed over the last few months, ranging from alleged movie bribes to quarrels with his influential stepmother, have rocked the younger Bolsonaro’s candidacy, with some arguing his bid is now in free fall.
Dynastic Politics
In 2025, as the likelihood grew that Jair Bolsonaro would be convicted on charges of conspiracy against Brazilian democracy, the question of who would replace him began to emerge. Much like Lula on the opposite side of the spectrum, Bolsonaro had come to dominate Brazil’s right-wing camp.
This article is for subscribers only. Please login or subscribe to access our full archives and beautiful print and digital magazine starting at just $3 a month.