'Banking on a national brand': Bolsonaro sons Carlos, Jair Renan run for power in Brazil's south

They waited for them for hours in the rain and cold of this seemingly endless winter in Joinville, Santa Catarina state. In this exhibition centre that once hosted the country’s largest arms fair before falling victim to its own success and being moved to São Paulo, the campaigners can hardly believe their eyes. On this particular day, it must be said that the Bolsonaro family’s supporters are spoiled with choice: there are not one, but two Bolsonaros onstage. The eldest son, Flavio – nominated by his father Jair as the Liberal Party’s candidate for the presidential election – is accompanied by his brother, Carlos, 43 years old, who is standing for the Senate. “Why is your state exemplary? Because it has never been ruled by the Workers’ Party!” chants Flavio, rallying the crowd to vote for his younger brother, who is trying his luck in a senate run for the first time in this southern region. Read moreFlavio Bolsonaro probed for corruption as Brazil election tightens A low-key ‘number 3’ A Rio de Janeiro city councillor for over 20 years, Carlos – known as "Number 3" – is a true Carioca who has parachuted into Santa Catarina. Regularly mocked for his exaggerated "ch" sounds typical ...