Michelle Bolsonaro Increases Campaign Support for Flávio Bolsonaro to Target Female Voters

Former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro has increased her public engagement in the presidential campaign of her stepson, Flávio Bolsonaro. In videos posted to social media on Wednesday, October 9, she called upon the presidents of PL Mulher across various states to support his candidacy. This mobilization targets the female electorate, which is described as a strategic segment for Flávio Bolsonaro to grow his support beyond the core Bolsonarista base.

Michelle Bolsonaro referred to the female militancy of the party as the Pink Force, the Pink Elite Troop, or the Pink Army. The videos featured endorsements from PL Mulher presidents in numerous states, including São Paulo, Ceará, Maranhão, Amazonas, Piauí, Paraná, and Pará. Notably, the videos included Priscila Costa from Ceará, who was a central figure in a previous political conflict between Michelle and Flávio.

This renewed support follows a period of public tension. In June, Michelle Bolsonaro resigned from the presidency of PL Mulher after accusing Flávio of mistreating and humiliating her. While she has now resumed a more emphatic role in his campaign, she continues to cite her responsibilities as the primary caregiver for her husband, Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest. This commitment led to her absence from major PL events in the Federal District and a September 7 demonstration in São Paulo.

While both reports agree on the strategic nature of this move, they differ slightly in framing. A center leaning source emphasizes the move as a strategy to demonstrate family unity and overcome a public crisis. A center right leaning source frames the move as a crucial offensive to address a specific weakness in the candidate's appeal to women.