Governor of MT says he does not see Michelle as Bolsonaro’s successor

The governor of Mato Grosso, Mauro Mendes (União Brasil) said this Monday (April 29, 2024) that there are “good names” to succeed former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL). He cited the governors of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) and the governor of Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil) as examples, but discarded the name of former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro.

For the former president’s ally, Michelle Bolsonaro does not have enough political experience to be her husband’s political successor. The politician also pointed out that the lack of management experience means that “chance of [uma eventual candidatura de Michelle] succeed” is too small.

“It’s not about being a politician, it’s about having management experience. Tarcísio was a minister and before that held important positions in the previous government. He has accumulated extensive administration experience and has demonstrated his competence”, said Mauro Mendes in an interview with the program Roda Vivafrom the TV Cultura.

Internal PL and PP research, however, points to the former first lady as one of the main names to replace Jair Bolsonaro as the right-wing candidate in 2026.

Since March 2023, when she became president of PL Mulher, Michelle has increasingly appeared at public events and participated in the party’s public political movements, such as public support for Alexandre Ramagem’s (PL) candidacy for Mayor of Rio.