São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas said President Lula's current campaign is the most dishonest he has seen, speaking alongside Flávio Bolsonaro, according to UOL Notícias. The two appeared together before an audience of mayors, where they also criticized what they described as the federal government's treatment of São Paulo.
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, used the same event to repeat that he will not seek re-election, Folha PE reported. He also called on Brazil's electoral court, the TSE, to act more quickly against what he called lies, according to Poder360. Separately, R7 reported that Flávio described the political scenario as "very favorable" and asked the TSE for speed.
The remarks came during a joint appearance in São Paulo on Sunday, October 11, 2026, UOL Notícias reported. The event brought the two figures together in front of municipal leaders, with both directing criticism at Lula's campaign and at how the federal government has handled the state.
The statements add to a broader push by Flávio Bolsonaro to press the electoral court on the pace of its handling of campaign-related complaints. His comments on the political landscape and his decision not to run again were made in the same period as the São Paulo event.
What to watch next: whether the TSE responds to the calls for faster action, and how Lula's camp reacts to the criticism from Tarcísio and Flávio.
