BRASILIA.- Bia Kicis arrives at the Brazilian Senate as one of the voices of the hard-line Bolsonarist core. A former prosecutor for the Federal District, a congresswoman since 2019 and president of the Liberal Party (PL) in the capital, at 65 she won one of the two seats up for grabs with nearly 887,000 votes, just 52,000 fewer than former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, the most-voted senator in the district's history. Kicis campaigned on one promise: the impeachment of Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) justice who oversaw the case over the attempted coup against Jair Bolsonaro. She will take office in February next year in a Congress that has shifted to the right. The PL will be the leading force in both chambers, with caucuses no party had achieved since the 1988 Constitution: 121 of the 513 deputies and 28 of the 81 senators, more than triple that of President Lula's Workers' Party in the Senate. Even so, it remains far from the 54 votes needed in the Senate to remove a Court justice, and it will need to reach agreements with Centrão lawmakers for any major reform. Beatriz Kicis Torrents de Sordi, better known as Bia Kicis, Brazilian politicianFaceBookFlavio Bolsonaro, the former president's eldest son, won the first round with 47% against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's 45% and heads into the October 25 runoff with an advantage. But it is only a two-point margin, and Kicis avoids triumphalism. In an exclusive interview with LA NACION, she measures her words about the Supreme Court, rules out the idea that former president Jair Bolsonaro will rule from behind his son, and warns that "the runoff is a new election."–You campaigned on tax reduction, public security and freedom of expression, and also on the impeachment of Alexandre de Moraes. What will you pursue first?–My priorities will be very clear: freedom, public security and an economic agenda that reduces the weight of the state on those who work and produce. The defense of Congress's prerogatives and of freedom of expression will be at the center of my term. As for the Supreme Court, this is not about changing the entire Court or persecuting judges. It is about enforcing the mechanisms provided for in the Constitution. If there are grounds for impeaching a justice, the Senate has a duty to examine it. The new composition of the upper chamber shows that society wants more balance among the branches of government, and I believe that message will also be heard by the senators.–To what do you attribute the first-round result? Was it a punishment vote against Lula's government, indignation with the institutions, especially the Supreme Court, or genuine support for the ideas of the right?–I believe there was a combination of those factors, but it would be a mistake to interpret the result solely as a protest vote. The right expanded its representation because a significant part of society identifies with our banners: security, economic freedom, fiscal responsibility, defense of the family and clear limits on the state's role. There is also, without a doubt, great dissatisfaction with Lula's government and growing concern about the imbalance among the branches of government. I believe the ballot boxes sent a fairly clear message in that regard. Flavio Bolsonaro at a press conference with representatives of other political forces SERGIO LIMA - AFP–With the PL as the largest caucus in both chambers, what are the three reforms the right will push for, whoever wins the runoff? And how much of that agenda depends on a Centrão that always charges dearly for any kind of deal?–I see three major pillars. The first is economic: fiscal responsibility, tax cuts, cutting public waste and less bureaucracy for those who work, start businesses and produce. The second is public security, with tougher laws against organized crime, repeat offenders and violent criminals, and more backing for the security forces. The third is an institutional and values agenda. It is necessary to restore Congress's prerogatives, guarantee freedom of expression and advance the defense of life, the family, childhood and parents' freedom in the education of their children. Those banners do not belong only to the PL. The election showed there is a much broader conservative majority in Congress. Obviously, we will have to dialogue with center parties to pass reforms and constitutional changes. That is part of democracy. What we cannot accept is for governability to be confused with horse-trading. We will talk to everyone, but we have very clear commitments to those who elected us.–A pardon would get Jair Bolsonaro out of prison, but it would not restore his political rights. What role do you think he will play in a potential Flavio government: advisor, minister, or the real power? Will they try to reverse his ban so he can run in 2030?–Jair Bolsonaro does not need an office to be Brazil's greatest political leader. He built a movement that changed Brazilian politics, and the result of this election shows that his influence remains enormous. Naturally, his experience and leadership will be heard by any right-wing government. But there is no such idea of a "real power." If Flavio is elected, the president will be him, chosen by popular vote, and it will be up to him to form his team and govern. As for 2030, I consider that Bolsonaro was removed from the ballot by deeply unjust decisions, and I have always defended the restoration of his political rights. But I do not think this is the moment to anticipate an election that will take place in four years. We have a presidential election to win now and, afterwards, a country to rebuild. Bolsonaro's political future will be discussed at the appropriate time. Bolsonaro holds giant scissors alongside Javier Milei during the Liberal Party convention in July 2026 Ettore Chiereguini - AP–Flavio's campaign included several compliments and nods to Milei's model in Argentina. What would you like to copy from that experience?–What interests me most about the Argentine experience is the courage to confront a bloated state and put fiscal responsibility at the center of government. Brazil needs to spend better, reduce waste, cut bureaucracy and stop treating those who start businesses and create jobs as adversaries. Every country has its own reality, so this is not about copying a model. But the willingness to confront privileges and structures that perpetuate themselves within the state is an important reference.–Flavio came within three points of 50%. Which voters has the PL still not convinced in order to win?–Our work now is to speak to the voter who wants change but has not yet decided, or who does not fully identify with either political camp. The first round showed that there is a very broad majority dissatisfied with the country's direction. The challenge is to show that voter that Flavio has what it takes to pacify the country, revive the economy, confront crime and govern responsibly. The runoff is a new election, and we have to win every vote. Elections in BrazilBrazilFlavio Bolsonaro