Flavio Bolsonaro’s Rising Popularity Gives Him More Time to Build His Economic Team

Flavio Bolsonaro’s name is climbing the polls, giving him extra room to decide who will guide his economic plans. The 44‑year‑old senator has spent much of his time abroad, meeting conservative allies and visiting his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is jailed in Brasilia for an attempted coup. Despite the father’s legal troubles and a cooling economy, Flavio is now matching President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in opinion polls. His supporters say that the growing momentum allows him to delay naming key advisers and to shape a coalition that could win the October election. A May launch of his economic team is no longer fixed, and it might be pushed further back. In 2018, Jair Bolsonaro named his future Economy Minister a year before the vote to calm investors. Flavio’s more cautious approach is now being tested as other right‑wing candidates enter the race, such as Ronaldo Caiado of the Social Democratic Party and Romeu Zema of the Novo Party. The field is expected to be chaotic, with governors facing steep odds against Flavio.Caiado has promised a broad amnesty for those convicted in the 2023 coup plot, while Zema plans to highlight his clean record and executive experience as alternatives for voters. Both acknowledge the unpredictable nature of campaigns. Flavio’s economic agenda is still vague, but he has pledged tax cuts and spending reductions to make business easier. He hopes the poll gains will attract potential cabinet members. Reports indicate informal talks with former Treasury Secretary Mansueto Almeida and former central bank governor Roberto Campos Neto, both of whom served under Jair’s administration. Almeida remains in the private sector and has not confirmed any offers, while Campos Neto declined to comment. Overall, Flavio’s improved standing gives him breathing room, but the crowded right‑wing field means he must still solidify his team and proposals before the election.