What are the plans of the PL for Michelle Bolsonaro in the 2026 elections

The Liberal Party (PL), of former president Jair Bolsonaro, has electoral expectations for former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro. The race for a seat in the Federal Senate in 2026 is seen as the most viable option to offer Michelle, who is affiliated with the party. More enthusiastic allies do not rule out the former first lady as a candidate for vice president on some ticket – in case Bolsonaro does not run. But that’s a less likely scenario right now.

Although it is still uncertain which elected office Michelle may run for in 2026, interlocutors linked to the Bolsonaro family are convinced that she will be a candidate. “There is an indication that Michelle will be a candidate. In principle, we are going to work with the Senate”, says a source close to the former president. Already a person linked to the former president of Bolsonaro says that she herself is interested in running for office.

In addition to the closest surroundings of Michelle’s family, leaders of the PL and even leaders of the PP and Republicans – parties that supported Bolsonaro’s reelection – also confirm the possibility of a candidacy for the Senate. One of the sources consulted even states that the national president of the PL, Valdemar Costa Neto, is one of the main enthusiasts of the idea.

To some members of the PL, Valdemar said that Michelle has political capital that “impresses”. He believes that this was evident in the election of former minister Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) to the Senate. According to a party leader, the former first lady played an important role in the success of the former Minister of Women, Family and Human Rights. Therefore, the trend, if Michelle’s candidacy for the Senate is confirmed, the trend is for her to run for the Federal District.

“Michelle made a difference wherever she went. So she does have good political capital, including for the Senate”, says a leader of the PL in a reserved manner. The source rejects, however, the possibility of the former first lady being a candidate for the vice-presidency, not least because the party’s objective is to be the head of the ticket for the 2026 elections. The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema, today in Novo, it is seen as a “plan B” to lead the right if Bolsonaro does not run again for the Presidency. And the PL already works to affiliate Zema.

The possibility of Michelle running as vice-president is considered by closest allies of the Bolsonaro family in case of any political composition with a candidate from another party, such as the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans). “Michelle would be a fantastic name. [ex-]president on the ticket, basically, but without the rejection he has and adding more strongly to the evangelical and female segments. He would add many governors and senators. It would be a very strong alliance”, says an interlocutor.

What the PL expects from Michelle Bolsonaro in the coming years

Valdemar Costa Neto wants Michelle Bolsonaro to tour the country at events organized by the PL so that she stands out and makes her candidacy viable. The party president’s goal for her and Bolsonaro is for the two to participate in meetings and events coordinated by state and municipal directorates.

Valdemar’s main objective for Michelle is for her to be the main electoral supporter of the PL among women. For this, he offered her the presidency of the party’s national women’s directory. In addition to being in evidence in office, the former first lady could work to enroll new female leaders. Valdemar also sees Michelle as an important leader among evangelicals. The assessment is that it can help attract votes from this segment to PL candidates.

In an interview on Friday (20) with CBN radio, Valdemar expressed his intention to keep Bolsonaro in the party as a prominent leader so that he and the former first lady help strengthen the party. In the interview, he emphasized the importance of Michelle. “I want, in any case, Bolsonaro here in Brazil, working and giving prestige to the party, going to our events, visiting the cities. And, mainly, his wife, Mrs. Michelle. [Ela] revealed himself with an impressive charisma. We want you to come back soon. We are structuring ourselves in the party to welcome him and for him to give a big boost to the PL “, he added.

What other support would Michelle Bolsonaro have for the race in 2026

In addition to her family surroundings, Valdemar Costa Neto and PL leaders, Michelle Bolsonaro also has the support of PP and Republican leaders and leaders to contest the 2026 elections.

One of the enthusiasts of the idea is Senator-elect Damares Alves (Republicans). The two are close friends. “Damares would give her soul for this project [de Michelle candidata ao Senado]. is a very grateful person [a mMchelle pelo apoio recebido como candidata e durante a gestão no governo]. The two have a considerable and enviable level of friendship”, says an interlocutor of the elected senator. As Damares has an eight-year term in the Senate, the two would not run against each other in 2026.

Michelle would also count on the support of the current presidents of the Republicans and PP, federal deputy Marcos Pereira (SP), and senator Ciro Nogueira (PI), respectively, to run for the Senate – even though she remains affiliated with the PL until the 2026 elections. Allies and interlocutors at the PP and Republican summit recognize the oratory and power of influence that Michelle demonstrated during the 2022 elections, especially in speeches aimed at women and Christians.

The support, however, would be limited, today, to just one of the two seats that will be up for grabs for the Senate in each unit of the federation in 2026. The Republicans and the PP distanced themselves from the PL after Bolsonaro’s party contested the election result in name of the coalition and without formal consultation with party leaders. Any compositions on a presidential ticket, with Michelle as vice president or not, would depend on a rapprochement for a national project in 2026.