Bolsonaro,  one of the presidential candidates formally registered for  Brazil ’s 2026 election, began the event with supporters at Marco Zero in Old Recife before walking to Cais da Alfândega  for the main rally.

Bolsonaro targets Lula and Supreme Court

During his speech, Bolsonaro focused his criticism on Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. He claimed Lula’s ministers were protecting Moraes and linked the issue to the presidential election .

"Lula's ministers are protecting Alexandre de Moraes. Do you know why? Because they are betting on Lula's re-election so that everything ends in a cover-up in the Supreme Court. But that is not going to happen, because we are going to win these elections in the first round," Bolsonaro told his supporters.

Bolsonaro also questioned Lula's government's economic and social record and criticised the Workers’ Party (PT).

"And with the continuity of this government, if it does continue, do you think Brazil would have more or less corruption, or even more, with another four years of this government? Would you suffer more or less violence? You would suffer more. But I, together with each one of you here, together we will rescue this Brazil," he said.

Bolsonaro added that he would not allow Brazil "to sink into this sea of mud created by Lula", and he called the president "a liar, a corrupt man and incompetent".

Supporters back Bolsonaro

Supporters attending the rally also voiced their backing for Bolsonaro.

Linda, one of those at the event, said she believed voters wanted a change in leadership.

"I trust in Flavio Bolsonaro's victory because the people are tired of theft, of the PT's theft. So enough of this dishonest old guard in power," she said.

The Pernambuco visit forms part of Bolsonaro’s campaign efforts in Brazil’s north-east.

Brazil’s first-round election is officially scheduled for October 4, with a possible presidential run-off on October 25 if no candidate receives the required majority. Voters will also elect governors, senators and federal, state and district deputies.

Speaking to supporters on Avenida Paulista, Bolsonaro said he campaigns wearing protective gear and portrayed voters as his defence.

"I want to assure everyone that I campaign wearing a bulletproof vest. I put my chest on the line for the Brazilian people, because I know that, deep down, you, the Brazilian people and the Brazilian electorate, are the vest that defends our democracy today," he said.

Bolsonaro also presented his presidential bid as a protest and argued that Brazil could prosper under a different political direction.

"This is the Brazil of the future I want: a Brazil where people do not have to rely on a politician simply to put food on the table. My candidacy is a protest, it seeks to show that Brazil can be fixed, that Brazil has a future and that Brazil can prosper," he said.

Security formed a major part of his speech. Bolsonaro said Comando Vermelho and militias would be classified as terrorist organisations. He also proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility and introducing tougher sentences for crimes.

"I will work to approve chemical castration for rapists and abusers of women. Mobile phone thieves will serve a minimum sentence of eight years in prison and will have to work to pay for their own upkeep," he announced.

The rally also featured slogans against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and criticism of Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes amid tensions between the court and Bolsonarismo.

"We must protect the Supreme Court from Alexandre de Moraes. That rotten apple cannot be allowed to contaminate the whole Court. The Supreme Court is not Alexandre de Moraes; the Judiciary is not Alexandre de Moraes; the magistracy is not Alexandre de Moraes," Bolsonaro said.

While Bolsonaro addressed supporters in Sao Paulo, Lula led a civic-military parade in Brasilia marking 204 years of Brazil's Independence. The events came ahead of the first round of the presidential election on October 4.

The event was held near Posto 5, one of the main political strongholds of his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022.

Flavio Bolsonaro focused his campaign message on public security, fighting drug trafficking and taking a tough stance against organised crime.

He also criticised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over his foreign policy, arguing that the government was focusing on diplomatic tensions instead of Brazil's domestic problems.

"(Lula) fights against countries that are 10,000 kilometres away from us. But the current government does not fight traffickers, does not fight murderers, does not fight robbers. I am going to fight for you!" the legislator said.

At the event, supporter Leticia Soares backed Bolsonaro's candidacy and said she expected an economic recovery. She also highlighted the possibility of closer political ties with Argentine President Javier Milei.

"The economy is going to go from zero to 100 per cent. And with Milei, being together, we can only grow. The economy is growing all over the world ; grow together," the activist said.

Another supporter, Mauricio Vargas, said he believed a Flavio Bolsonaro government aligned with US President Donald Trump could tackle Brazil's main criminal groups.

"The right-wing government of Flavio Bolsonaro, aligned with President Trump of the United States , will be very good for the nation to put an end to the PCC (First Command of the Capital) and the Comando Vermelho," Vargas said.

Bolsonaro also defended the legacy of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest and barred from political office for his attempted involvement in a coup in 2022.

He promised to confront the political system, reduce public spending and cut government posts.

Flavio Bolsonaro's campaign launch coincided with the official start of Lula's campaign, as the president held his first event in São Paulo.

Speaking during an internet podcast, Lula said he had instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend meetings with ambassadors until after the election.

"I told Minister Mauro: 'From now until the election, I will not receive any other ambassadors. Only after the election will I receive an ambassador from any country in the world ,'" the president said.

Lula also pointed to the absence of a US ambassador in Brazil, noting that the position has remained vacant for about a year and a half. He said tensions grew after Brazil refused entry to US officials whom the government said wanted to question the country's electoral system.

"The United States have been in power for a year and a half and hasn't sent anyone here. Then they try to send someone and think we are obliged to set the date they want. That's not right. No one should think they can interfere from the outside to influence our elections," Lula emphasised.

During the interview, Lula also said his political career is driven by purpose rather than elections.

"I am not in politics to contest an election. The election is simply the result of a goal I set for my life. For me, politics is a cause," the president said.

Brazil will hold the first round of its presidential election on October 4, 2026. Lula is seeking re-election, with recent polls identifying Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, as his main challenger.