✓ verbatim from the press
National PL president Valdemar Costa Neto stated on Thursday that the opposition will only lose the 2026 presidential election "if very incompetent." The statement was made during the March for Jesus in São Paulo, where the party leader downplayed internal party turbulence and pointed to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's rejection ratings as the main factor for an opposition victory. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O presidente nacional do PL, Valdemar Costa Neto, manifestou otimismo em relação às perspectivas eleitorais do partido para a disputa pela Presidência da República, que tem o senador Flávio Bolsonaro (RJ) como pré-candidato da legenda."
"If it's a crisis, fine, we'll have others. And we'll overcome them all, because Lula has a 48% rejection rate. We'll only lose the election if we're very incompetent. And we're not," Valdemar told the Poder360 website. The PL has Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (RJ) as pre-candidate for the Presidency for the next election. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Se é uma crise, vai, vamos ter outras. E nós vamos superar todas, porque o Lula está com uma rejeição de 48%. Nós só perderemos a eleição se formos muito incompetentes. E nós não somos", disse ele ao Poder 360."
Valdemar defended Jair Bolsonaro's administration legacy, arguing that the covid-19 pandemic compromised half of the former president's term with business closures. According to the leader, the previous administration delivered robust fiscal performance indicators even under the impact of the global health crisis. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Valdemar ponderou que a eclosão da pandemia de covid-19 comprometeu metade do mandato de Bolsonaro com o fechamento compulsório das atividades comerciais, reduzindo o período de governabilidade plena a apenas dois anos."
Regarding trade tensions with the United States and the threat of tariffs on Brazilian products, Valdemar adopted a moderate tone and projected that the White House, under Donald Trump, will recognize Brazil as a strategic partner. "I think there will be an agreement. He won't impose tariffs. He [Trump] needs Brazil a lot too," he stated. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Eu acho que isso vai ter acordo. Não vai taxar. Ele [Trump] precisa muito do Brasil também. Precisamos negociar bem, negociar com os Estados Unidos e chegar num ponto de acordo. Eles precisam da gente também", completou Valdemar."
Valdemar made the statements during the March for Jesus in São Paulo on Thursday
Flávio Bolsonaro is treated as PL's pre-candidate for the Presidency
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Valdemar commented on US tariff threats against Brazilian products
Valdemar defended Bolsonaro's economic legacy citing pandemic impact
-
Which specific election does Valdemar consider that PL lost due to incompetence?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not identify which previous electoral dispute motivated Valdemar's statement about incompetence
-
What are the concrete data on Lula's rejection mentioned by Valdemar?
Why it's still unknown: Valdemar cites 48% rejection but sources don't inform poll origin, responsible institute or methodology
-
What are the 'internal political turbulences' of PL mentioned?
Why it's still unknown: Sources cite 'recent turbulences' and 'internal crises' but don't specify the events
-
What is Flávio Bolsonaro's formal registration as pre-candidate at TSE?
Why it's still unknown: Sources treat Flávio Bolsonaro as pre-candidate but don't inform formal candidacy status
-
What evidence supports the claim that only incompetence would explain a 2026 defeat?
Why it's still unknown: Sources don't present electoral data, polls or analyses that validate the premise of opposition's natural favoritism