Carlos Bolsonaro misses scheduled interview in Santa Catarina

Carlos Bolsonaro, a candidate for the Senate representing the Liberal Party (PL) in Santa Catarina, missed a scheduled interview with Jovem Pan Floripa on Friday. His campaign attributed the absence to unspecified commitments in Brasília, though reports indicate he spent the weekend visiting his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The absence has drawn criticism from political allies and media commentators. Critics noted that Bolsonaro has consistently avoided debates, interviews, and public forums in Santa Catarina throughout his campaign. This pattern of avoidance is viewed by some as a strategy to prevent embarrassment due to his limited connection to the state and lack of debate experience, while others argue it risks reinforcing an image of being a distant candidate.

Local political figures have already expressed resistance to his candidacy, labeling him an outsider following his change of electoral domicile to Santa Catarina. While his running mate, Carol de Toni, participated in the Jovem Pan program, Bolsonaro’s absence left an empty chair in the studio.