Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has selected conservative Congressman Alfredo Gaspar as his vice-presidential running mate for the upcoming October election. Gaspar, a 55-year-old representative from the northeastern state of Alagoas since 2023, previously served as the state’s public security secretary. The selection concludes weeks of uncertainty regarding Bolsonaro’s ticket composition.
The announcement underscores difficulties within Bolsonaro’s campaign, which has struggled to forge alliances outside his Liberal Party and was unsuccessful in recruiting a female candidate to broaden electoral appeal. Gaspar gained prominence through leading a congressional investigation into Brazil’s pension and social security system, an issue that has become politically contentious for the incumbent administration. Political observers note this positioning allows Bolsonaro to challenge President Lula on sensitive matters while emphasizing public security concerns.
Recent polling indicates the race is tightening considerably. A Quaest survey released Wednesday shows Lula leading Bolsonaro 44 percent to 39 percent in a hypothetical runoff scenario, a substantial decrease from an eight-point advantage in mid-July. Meanwhile, President Lula has emphasized national sovereignty concerns, warning against foreign interference in Brazil’s electoral process. The administration has taken diplomatic measures, including denying visas to U.S. officials and engaging in disputes with the Trump administration over ambassadorial appointments and trade policies.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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