From Michelle Bolsonaro to her husband Jair Bolsonaro: 'A spouse is above everything else'

Brazil's former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro continues to make headlines following her attempts to sabotage her stepson Flávio Bolsonaro's pre-candidacy. Recently revealing the deep conflicts at the core of the Bolsonaro family through a video she shared on social media, Michelle has now sent a direct message to her husband, Jair Bolsonaro. Making a noteworthy post on her Instagram account immediately following the dismantling of the PL Mulher (PL Women) movement she founded, Michelle laid bare the extent to which intra-family tensions have escalated. These developments are also causing significant debates within the right wing of Brazilian politics. Michelle's outbursts indicate that the fractures within the Bolsonaro family are becoming increasingly visible.

In the background of these events lies the decision by party president Valdemar da Costa Neto to remove Michelle Bolsonaro from her position leading the PL Mulher movement. Valdemar confirmed that this role was eliminated on the grounds that appointing a new head for the women's wing could lead to infighting and disagreements within the party. The party executive's remarks, which were made citing potential conflicts among female members and were also considered sexist, drew massive backlash. Valdemar's statements, implying that women would easily cause problems, led to questioning regarding the value placed on women's organizing within the party. The combination of Michelle's removal from her party role and her family feuds demonstrates that she is going through a tumultuous period, both politically and personally. These developments mark a major turning point for the Liberal Party (PL) in terms of its women's policies and internal dynamics.

Michelle Bolsonaro shared a sermon by the famous pastor Cláudio Duarte with her followers via a post on her Instagram account. Duarte, the leader of the church called 'Ministério Projeto Recomeçar', spoke about marital loyalty throughout the video, making a clever reference to Jair Bolsonaro's famous slogan, 'Brazil above everything, God above everyone.' Speaking in a calm yet highly assertive tone, the pastor argued that couples must have unshakeable devotion to one another. This remarkable video was considered the biggest indicator of Michelle's desire to convey her feelings to her husband and the public in an indirect but clear manner. The said post is interpreted as a strategic move by Michelle to solidify her stance and position following family disagreements. Rapidly spreading on social media, this post is being closely followed with great curiosity by both political circles and the public in Brazil.

Pastor Cláudio Duarte used highly assertive language, emphasizing the sanctity of the institution of marriage in the video. Advocating that spouses must always be each other's top priority, Duarte concluded his remarks by saying, 'If you are not ready to make your spouse the most important person in your life, then you are not ready for marriage.' According to him, a person's spouse must hold a higher position than their parents, their job, and even church activities. Duarte expressed that a spouse is above all else, with the sole exception of being in a position below Jesus (God). These powerful words likely symbolized the message of Michelle Bolsonaro, who feels that her husband has not sufficiently supported her during his crises within the party and the family. Michelle's choice to select and share this sermon was perceived as an attempt to send a message to her husband, the former president: 'You must put me above everything, politics, and family feuds.'

These moves by Michelle Bolsonaro, an extremely active and polarizing figure in Brazilian politics, could also have profound effects on the future of the Bolsonaro family. Her political struggle with her stepson Flávio and the removal of her party position have opened the door to a new crisis within the Brazilian right wing. How Jair Bolsonaro manages these familial and political tensions is of critical importance for both the future of the Liberal Party and the loyalty of right-wing voters. All these events reveal just how fragile the former president's relationships with his political allies and family members are. It is believed that with her message that 'a spouse is above everything else,' Michelle is expressing her disappointment in her husband on one hand, while trying to create room for maneuver in the public eye on the other. The Brazilian public and political analysts have already begun debating whether this civil war within the Bolsonaro clan will have long-term political repercussions in the country.