Michelle Bolsonaro positions herself as leader of Brazil's far-right
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The former First Lady of Brazil emerges as the new face of Bolsonarism and religious conservatism ahead of the 2026 elections.
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Former Brazilian first lady Michelle Bolsonaro addresses people attending the Liberal Party's national women's meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Former Brazilian First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro has hinted at a potential run in the Brazil 2026 presidential election, saying her candidacy would depend on "God's will," in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Her remarks followed the sentencing of former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for his involvement in the 2023 coup plot. with the sentence catalyzing efforts within Brazil's far-right to reorganize and find new leadership.
Positioning herself as a defender of religious and conservative values, Michelle Bolsonaro accused the left of orchestrating what she called a "judicial farce" against her husband and other "innocents." Her message resonated strongly with evangelical voters in Brazil, who have been a core pillar of Bolsonarism.
Her rhetoric, blending religious fervor with political grievance, reinforced narratives of persecution commonly shared among conservative evangelical communities. Many now see Michelle as a potential standard-bearer for the movement in her own right.
The Evangelical base and the rise of 'God's Lady'
Michelle Bolsonaro has risen as a significant figure within the conservative Christian community. According to political analyst Leandro Álvarez de Lorenzo, Brazil is witnessing a "deification" of leaders like Jair and Michelle Bolsonaro, with religious language being used to frame political struggles as moral and spiritual battles.
Michelle's platform centers on defending the "Christian family" against progressive agendas, positioning her as a rallying point for far-right groups seeking continuity in Bolsonarism.
Polls show Michelle's growing influence
A Genial/Quaest poll conducted in August highlighted Michelle Bolsonaro as a leading figure in the Bolsonarist movement, especially in scenarios where Jair Bolsonaro is absent. She draws substantial support from the conservative electorate, outperforming right-wing figures such as Tarcísio de Freitas and Eduardo Bolsonaro.
Her growing political capital suggests she could inherit the Bolsonarist base and help forge a cohesive religious-conservative bloc with widespread appeal in Brazilian society.
Meanwhile, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, the former president's son, faces allegations of coercion related to the 2023 coup conspiracy. Brazil's Attorney General's Office claims he sought to align national interests with his family's political agenda. Eduardo has dismissed the accusations, attributing them to external pressure, particularly from the United States.
The broader legal and political tensions add uncertainty to Michelle Bolsonaro's potential candidacy. Yet, some observers believe that rather than fragmenting the right, her emergence could unify it under a symbolic and religious female leadership.
