Former federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro confirmed on Tuesday, May 5, that he will be the running mate for André do Prado in the São Paulo Senate race. The move aims to bolster the right-wing in the state and revive Eduardo's political career while he remains self-exiled in the US. However, his cassation for absences from the Chamber raises questions about his eligibility.
After months of uncertainty, Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) announced in a video alongside André do Prado, president of the São Paulo Legislative Assembly (Alesp), that he will be Prado's running mate for the São Paulo Senate seat. The PL party's strategy, according to its inner circle, aims to counter strong candidates backed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and revive Eduardo's political career, as he has been self-exiled in the United States for over a year citing judicial persecution.
Eduardo praised Prado's 'capacidade de articulação e liderança política' (articulation and political leadership skills), noting his influence for Tarcísio de Freitas's reelection and his brother Flávio Bolsonaro's presidential project. A party colleague likened Prado to Eduardo's 'laranja,' akin to Fernando Haddad's role for Lula in 2018. Despite internal resistance, Eduardo's support is expected to boost Prado.
The candidacy faces judicial hurdles. Eduardo was cassated by the Chamber's Board of Directors for absences after his license expired in early 2025 while self-exiled. Brazilian law does not automatically impose ineligibility for such cassation, unlike cases of breach of parliamentary decorum.
Electoral lawyer Fernando Neisser stated: “Não há uma clareza na legislação sobre essa cassação da Câmara também o deixar inelegível [...]. Se ele se lançar candidato a uma chapa, vai haver pedido de impugnação” (There is no clarity in the legislation that this Chamber cassation also makes him ineligible [...]. If he runs on a ticket, there will be impugnation requests). Opponents may argue Eduardo provoked his mandate loss, potentially leading to the entire ticket's rejection at the São Paulo Regional Electoral Court, with appeals possible to the Superior Electoral Court.
