Flavio Bolsonaro picks Alfredo Gaspar as running mate

Conservative Congressman Alfredo Gaspar joined Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential ticket on Wednesday, a move that signals the candidate's struggle to forge broad alliances. The selection of the 55-year-old Alagoas legislator follows weeks of failed attempts to recruit a female running mate, leaving the Liberal Party to pivot toward a regional ally.

Editorial·August 5, 2026·reads: 265

Gaspar, a former public security secretary, brings a combative profile to the ticket. At a Brasilia event, he pledged to prioritize the fight against corruption and organized crime, specifically targeting the nation’s economic instability. His background includes leading a congressional probe into the National Social Security Institute, a role that positions him to attack the administration on sensitive issues. Specifically, the investigation touches on allegations involving the son of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, providing the campaign with a sharp political weapon.

The choice underscores deep-seated friction within the right-wing coalition. Flavio Bolsonaro had initially sought a female partner to soften his image and recover from a public rift with his stepmother, former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro. However, potential candidates like Senator Tereza Cristina and former bank head Daniella Marques were unable to secure the necessary support from their own parties, which opted for neutrality to protect their legislative interests. Political analyst Rafael Favetti noted that the pick serves as a strategic gesture to gain traction in the northeast, a region dominated by Lula’s supporters. While party chief Valdemar Costa Neto claimed Gaspar was the intended choice all along, the selection highlights the senator’s limited options in a polarized political landscape.