Flavio Bolsonaro picks Alfredo Gaspar as running mate

Gaspar, a 55-year-old Liberal Party member representing Alagoas, previously served as the state's secretary of public security. His appointment signals a pivot toward law-and-order rhetoric, specifically targeting the administration's record on organized crime and economic management. During his announcement in Brasilia, Gaspar pledged to confront corruption, leveraging his prior experience leading a congressional probe into the National Social Security Institute. This focus provides a direct line of attack against the incumbent, as the investigation has touched upon allegations involving the president’s son, Fabio Luis Lula da Silva.

The choice of Gaspar highlights the campaign's isolation. Bolsonaro struggled to recruit high-profile figures like Senator Tereza Cristina and former Caixa Economica Federal head Daniella Marques, both of whom failed to secure backing from their own parties to join the ticket. Many major political entities have opted for neutrality, fearing that an explicit endorsement of Bolsonaro would alienate voters in northeastern strongholds. Political analyst Lucas de Aragao noted that while Gaspar remains a surprise pick, his background in public safety and his willingness to pursue sensitive investigations provide the ticket with a specific, albeit narrow, avenue to challenge the status quo.