PL eyes two candidates to boost Flávio Bolsonaro’s support in Minas Gerais

The Liberal Party (PL) is evaluating the launch of its own candidate, former Betim mayor Vittorio Medioli, to create two parallel campaign fronts for Senate candidate Flávio Bolsonaro in Minas Gerais. The move comes as Republicanos senator Cleitinho Azevedo has not yet decided whether to run for the state governorship. Republicanos leader Euclydes Pettersen said that if the PL fields a candidate, "we will run an independent slate".

PL officials say the two‑front strategy would let Cleitinho continue to mobilise the party’s interior base while Medioli would target the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area. Party president Zé Vitor stressed that any decision will be reached through agreement and will not cause a public split. The party plans an internal poll before the weekend to assess the competitiveness of the options. A recent poll shows President Lula leading the presidential race in Minas Gerais with 35% support, ahead of Flávio Bolsonaro at 29%.