Four centre-right parties endorsed Flávio Bolsonaro on Wednesday, Oct. 7, adding to the political backing he’s assembling before Brazil’s Oct. 25 presidential run-off. The endorsements came four days after the first-round vote, in which Bolsonaro fell less than three percentage points short of the outright majority needed to win the presidency.
Party Backing
União Brasil, Progressistas, Republicanos and Novo endorsed Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Their support came a day after former Goias state governor and ex-presidential contender Ronaldo Caiado endorsed him. The campaign expects to finalise political party endorsements by Thursday.
The endorsements add to Bolsonaro’s effort to consolidate support ahead of a second-round contest against leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The campaign is also confronting criticism over Bolsonaro’s lack of governing experience, according to the account of the race.
At a Republicanos event late Wednesday, São Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas addressed Bolsonaro and called for continuing his father’s work. “We can’t be part of a lost generation,” de Freitas said. “We have to deliver on the work that your father started.”
Bolsonaro told the event, “I’ll write every page of Brazil’s history with you.” He also described himself as “a bridge builder.” The four parties announced their backing as the campaign worked to secure further endorsements.
Promises and the Constitution
Bolsonaro said he would respect the Constitution and the nation’s politics if elected. He also vowed to serve only one term as head of state. Speaking to reporters, he promised, “There will be stability, peace so everyone can work, as well as respect for the Constitution.” He added: “Brazil will go back to normal.”
His one-term pledge sits alongside changes he says would require constitutional amendments. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro said he could use a congressional majority to amend the Constitution if he became president. He has pointed to judicial, tax and public security reforms, as well as a move to limit presidents to a single term, as policies he’d pursue through constitutional changes.
Legislative Stakes
The election produced a more right-leaning legislature. That result raises the possibility of majorities in both the Senate and the lower house, and of electing the leaders of both chambers. The account doesn’t specify the composition of those possible majorities or say whether Bolsonaro’s proposed amendments would have enough support to pass.
The legislative question ties directly to the campaign’s constitutional proposals: Bolsonaro has said he could use a congressional majority to amend the Constitution, and the election results could give right-leaning lawmakers majorities in both chambers. His proposed changes include reforms to the judiciary, taxes and public security, along with a constitutional limit on presidents serving more than one term.
The Oct. 25 run-off is 17 days away. Bolsonaro’s four new party endorsements, Caiado’s endorsement, his promise to respect the Constitution, and his stated plan to pursue constitutional changes now form part of the campaign’s public case before voters choose between him and Lula.