Flávio Bolsonaro leads Brazil's presidential race with strong environmental deregulation plans, raising alarms among indigenous groups and environmentalists.
Flávio Bolsonaro leads in first round
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, secured the most votes in the first round of the 2026 presidential election, with 47.03% of the vote, surpassing current President Lula da Silva, who received 45.16%. Environmental concerns raised
Flávio Bolsonaro, representing the Liberal Party (PL), has proposed policies that have drawn significant concern from environmentalists and indigenous groups. These policies are seen as continuing the environmental agenda of his father, who was president from 2019 to 2023 and was later sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. Deregulation of environmental protections
Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged to "end environmental constraints," a phrase interpreted as a signal for potential deregulation. His campaign has emphasized reducing environmental protections, including abolishing legal reserves that require landowners to preserve native vegetation on a portion of their property—a proposal previously abandoned due to public backlash. Legislative efforts criticized
In the Senate, Flávio Bolsonaro has been involved in legislative efforts that have drawn criticism. He co-authored a 2019 bill to eliminate legal reserves, which could have led to the destruction of 167 million hectares of forests, according to a study by the University of São Paulo. He has also been a rapporteur for a constitutional amendment that would allow the privatization of coastal areas, another measure abandoned due to public opposition. Consolidation of environmental agencies
Flávio Bolsonaro's platform includes consolidating key environmental agencies such as the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai), and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). This move could reduce environmental oversight, as these agencies are crucial in enforcing regulations. Reduction of indigenous reserves
Flávio Bolsonaro has stated that the state's primary function is production, a stance that has raised concerns among indigenous communities. They have already received threats of invasion if he is elected, and his policies could lead to increased violence, as seen in the case of the Apyterewa people in the state of Pará. Interest in rare earth minerals
Flávio Bolsonaro has shown interest in developing Brazil's rare earth mineral resources, which are essential for modern technologies. While both he and Lula da Silva support this development, Flávio Bolsonaro has proposed positioning Brazil as a supplier for the United States, particularly for Donald Trump. His interest in shale gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing has also raised environmental concerns due to its potential harm to groundwater and ecosystems. Potential influence on Supreme Court
If elected, Flávio Bolsonaro would have the opportunity to appoint four of the eleven judges of the Federal Supreme Court (TSF), potentially shaping the court's decisions on environmental and indigenous issues. The PL has strengthened its position in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, which could provide a legislative majority for his policies.
