Bolsonaro Disqualification Bid: TSE Decision and Political Implications

Brazil awaits a decision on whether the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) will disqualify former president Jair Bolsonaro from holding public office for eight years on charges of abuse of authority. The ex‑army captain had seemed to sense the outcome, signaling confidence in an interview with the São Paulo daily Folha de S.Paulo where he denied any attack on the voting system and suggested his opponents were trying to punish him for leading the far‑right administration. He stated that he would not despair, would keep working, and that he remained active until proven otherwise. His wife, the former first lady Michelle, indicated preparedness should the TSE rule in favor of disqualification ahead of the 2026 elections. Bolsonaro also branded as false the notion that he would surrender his political ambitions. It appeared to be his supposed final “silver bullet.” Despite pressing pessimism, the former officer did not wait passively for a verdict from the conservative TSE judge Benedito Gonçalves, who serves as the rapporteur in this case.