Tarcísio de Freitas could be Bolsonaro’s political successor in 2026, says poll

One in four Brazilian voters believes that the current governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), could be the political successor of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the 2026 elections, according to a poll published this Thursday ( 25) by Paraná Pesquisas.

The institute took to the streets to investigate Brazilians’ perception of the 2026 presidential succession if Bolsonaro is made ineligible due to the processes he responds to in the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

According to Paraná Pesquisas, former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro (PL) is the second most cited among voters, followed by Minas Gerais governor Romeu Zema (Novo), Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) and Paraná governor Ratinho Jr (PSD). ). See below:

• Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans): 25.8%;
• Michelle Bolsonaro (PL): 14.3%;
• Romeu Zema (New): 9.3%;
• Flávio Bolsonaro (PL): 8.2%;
• Junior Mouse (PSD):6.8%;
• Nobody: 13.3%;
• Does not know/did not give an opinion: 22.3%.

The research revealed that Freitas is the most indicated in all regions of the country, mainly in the Southeast (28.8%) and in the North and Midwest (27%). The former first lady is the second most cited in the Northeast (19.1%).

Methodology

The Paraná Pesquisas survey heard 2,023 people in 164 municipalities in the 26 states and the Federal District between May 16 and 21, 2023. The confidence level is 95% with a margin of error of 2.2 percentage points for the overall results , with variations between 2.2 and 5.6 percentage points between the regions surveyed. The complete survey can be found here.