São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas declared support for Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's 2026 presidential pre-candidacy, reaffirming loyalty to Jair Bolsonaro. The statement followed Flávio's announcement with his father's endorsement, amid political criticisms and reactions. Tarcísio mentioned other opposition figures and said it is too early for final assessments.
On December 8, 2025, during a press conference in Diadema, in the ABC region of São Paulo, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) broke his silence on Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's (PL-RJ) pre-candidacy for the 2026 presidency. Tarcísio, previously seen as a potential bolsonarismo candidate, stated: “Flávio will count on us.” He confirmed meeting Flávio on Friday, December 5, at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, before the senator's official announcement, which had Jair Bolsonaro's endorsement.
Tarcísio reaffirmed his non-negotiable loyalty to the former president: “I always said I would be loyal to Bolsonaro, that I am grateful to Bolsonaro, I have that loyalty and it is non-negotiable.” He noted that Flávio takes on a great responsibility, joining other opposition figures like Romeu Zema (Novo-MG), Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil-GO), and Ratinho Jr. (PSD-PR). The governor criticized the federal government, advocating for discussions on Brazil's structural issues and organizing the right around ideological convergences.
Asked about a Datafolha poll released on Saturday, showing Flávio 15 points behind Lula in a runoff while he himself would trail by five points, Tarcísio replied: “We will evaluate that over time, it's early. We have time to mature.” Flávio's announcement drew mixed reactions: Tarcísio's allies saw it as a humiliation, and financial markets recorded a 4% drop in the stock exchange and a rise in the dollar.
Flávio announced the pre-candidacy on Friday but on Sunday indicated he has “a price” to withdraw, possibly tied to amnesty for those involved in the January 8 events, including his father. On Monday, he backed down, stating the candidacy is “irreversible” and “not for sale.” Meanwhile, the PT approved a resolution on Saturday ignoring Flávio and criticizing Tarcísio as a neoliberal interlocutor, accusing him of turning São Paulo into a laboratory for privatizations and state reduction.
