Flávio Bolsonaro ends his first round campaign in a motorcade in Rio with religious and political tensions

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) closed the campaign for the first round of the presidential elections this Saturday afternoon (3) in a motorcade in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro.

The final point on the agenda was Praça da Fé, in Bangu, where there is a Catholic church, the São Sebastião and Santa Cecília parish. A mass was taking place there when Flávio's supporters occupied the square.

Due to the noise of the political event, which included jingles and fireworks, the church decided to close its doors with the faithful inside until the end of the religious activity. The senator's supporters waved flags and danced to loud music outside.

The Catholic religion was a sensitive topic for Flávio in the first round, after the spread of false news that he would support the removal of the title of patron saint of Brazil from Nossa Senhora Aparecida.

The senator left the motorcade without speaking to the press. He was on top of a sound car with local allies, including the PL candidate for governor of Rio de Janeiro, Douglas Ruas, who is president of Alerj (Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro).

Flávio and his supporters traveled a route of approximately 13 km between the neighborhoods of Campo Grande and Bangu.

Next to Praça da Fé there is a committee run by PT member Adilson Pires, candidate for state deputy. Before Flávio's arrival, Pires' supporters shouted at the senator, calling him a "thief", and said that the place of former president Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) son would be in prison.

A Bolsonarista group approached, responding to the provocations, but was subsequently removed, with no record of physical attacks.

In an interview before the motorcade, Douglas Ruas said he expected to come out ahead in this Sunday's state dispute (4). He appears in voting intention polls behind the former mayor of Rio Eduardo Paes (PSD), supported by President Lula (PT).

The PL gubernatorial candidate criticized Lula, whom he called an "expired product", and said that the "system" has tried to interfere in the elections for the benefit of the PT's allies, including Paes. The speech occurred after Ruas was asked about fellow candidate for state government Anthony Garotinho (Republicans).

On Friday (2), the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) determined that the votes in Garotinho were considered null and void. Paes' allies believe that the measure could benefit the former mayor in the first round.