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Flavio Bolsonaro Rises in Brazil, Still in Father's Shadow
Flavio Bolsonaro is running to become Brazil's president.
His father, Jair Bolsonaro, is a former president who remains very popular with many right-wing voters.
Flavio received more votes than President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first election round, but neither got enough to win outright.
They are expected to compete again on October 25.
Flavio says he is more moderate than his father, though he still looks to him for guidance.
His campaign has also faced questions about an investigation involving money for a film about Jair.
Flavio supports tough measures against crime.
A political analyst says he can seem friendlier than his father while still holding far-right views.
Flavio Bolsonaro won 47 percent in Sunday's election, narrowly ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's 45 percent.
The two are set to face each other in an October 25 runoff.
Flavio, 45, was little known nationally before his jailed father, Jair Bolsonaro, named him as his political heir.
He describes himself as more moderate than his father but says Jair remains his political compass.
His campaign has faced scrutiny over an investigation linked to a film about his father and a public dispute with his stepmother.
- Who
- Flavio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
- What
- They are set to face each other in an October 25 presidential runoff after Flavio received 47 percent and Lula 45 percent in Sunday's election.
- Where
- Brazil.
- When
- Sunday's election; the runoff is scheduled for October 25. The article does not specify the year.
- Why
- Neither candidate received enough votes to win outright, according to the article's account of the election.
Supporters' view
Critics' view
Jair Bolsonaro's political legacy
Supporters' view
Some supporters back Flavio because of his father's political base; one voter said he would vote for Flavio because Jair was not on the ballot.
Critics' view
The article says Flavio has struggled to emerge from his father's shadow and quotes an analyst describing him as still ideologically far-right.
Flavio's campaign and conduct
Supporters' view
Flavio presents himself as a more moderate Bolsonaro, and his wife joked that she had helped make him milder.
Critics' view
His campaign has been affected by a corruption and money-laundering investigation, and he had to acknowledge contact with banker Daniel Vorcaro and travel on his private jet after initially denying both.
Crime policy
Supporters' view
Flavio advocates a hard line on crime, including building many prisons, and praises security policies in El Salvador.
Critics' view
The article includes an analyst's description of Flavio as ideologically far-right, but does not give a direct opposing assessment of his specific crime proposals.
Key facts
- Flavio Bolsonaro's vote share
- 47 percent
- Lula's vote share
- 45 percent
- Runoff date
- October 25
- Flavio Bolsonaro's age
- 45
- Current office
- Senator
- Security position
- He supports building many prisons and has praised El Salvador's security policies.
- Investigation
- He is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering connected to financing a biopic about his father.
Quotes
Marco Antonio da Rosa
A 21-year-old law student who attended Flavio Bolsonaro's Rio rally
“I would like to have Jair on the ballot. Since Jair isn't there, I'm going with Flavio.”
NDTV
“I know I look like him. But it's hard to compare Pele's son to Pele.”
NDTV
Thomas Traumann
Political analyst
“Compared to his father, he is more affable and personable...but that doesn't mean he isn't ideologically far-right.”
NDTV
Sources
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