If the governor’s candidacy for Planalto is unsuccessful, the tendency is for regional PSD leaders to support the candidates they like in the presidential race
BRASÍLIA – Members of the PSD state that they believe that the possible candidacy of the Mouse Juniorcurrent governor of Paraná and pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, has the potential to hinder the regional support of some party leaders identified with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
Ratinho has been running for president for a few months, but the recent cooling of the candidacy of the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), has meant that the nomination of the governor of Paraná has gained more strength behind the scenes in Brasilia.
THE Station/Broadcast he has spoken to ministers and PSD leaders in recent weeks. The perception is that if Ratinho ran next year, regional leaders, even those closest to the PT, would be forced to support their party’s candidate.
It doesn’t mean obligation. In 2022 the MDB, also with the candidacy of Simone Tebetsaw its members declare their vote for Lula in the first round. In Ratinho’s case, however, what changes is the possibility, still uncertain, that the governor receives the support of centrist parties and Bolsonarism to face the PT.
Simone had very little chance of breaking the polarization between left and right. The MDB had the support only of the PSDB-Cidadania federation and Podemos, parties which together elected 34 deputies. Ratinho is counting on the absence of a Bolsonaro name for 2026 – Jair Bolsonaro is not eligible and must insist on his candidacy, even without the possibility of running – and on the significance of his name, especially if associated with that of his father, the TV presenter Mouse.
Leaders who now publicly support the President of the Republic say that if Ratinho runs for president, they will have to support the supporter instead of the PT member. This partisan commitment has the potential to reduce Lula’s reach in the states, although the political debate is increasingly nationalized and less regionally focused.
If Ratinho’s venture fails, the tendency is for PSD regional leaders to support the candidates they like in the presidential contest. However, the party will remain neutral in the campaign. On the table is the possibility of an alliance with another candidate, such as Tarcísio.
However, the party members who support Lula have already made it clear to the PSD leadership that the commitment to support an opponent of the PT member is valid only in the case of a supporter. In the event of Tarcísio’s candidacy, for example, PSD ministers and parliamentarians who support Lula must continue to side with the PT MP, even if the party is part of another coalition.
The PSD currently has three ministries: Agriculture, with Carlos Favaro (MT); that of Mining and Energy, with Alessandro Silveira (MG); and Fishing, with Andrea di Paola (FOOT). Between 2024 and 2025, the name of Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) was even considered capable of occupying some positions after leaving the presidency of the Senate. The hypothesis, however, was left aside.
Pacheco himself experiences an impasse in Minas. Lula has publicly suggested running for state government. The senator has not yet decided. The chances of being appointed to a vacancy in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) or to seek re-election to the Senate. A new element in this equation is the likely affiliation of deputy governor Mateus Simões, an ally of Romeo Zema (New), to the PSD, which could make the prospect of supporting the president of Minas difficult.
To date, Lula has support in states such as Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, Piauí, Amazonas and Ceará. On the other hand, the leaders of states such as São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná and Goiás are closer to Bolsonarismo.
The PSD’s strategy of trying to elect as many federal deputies as possible – which guarantees a greater share in the distribution of the party fund – makes formal alliances with other parties difficult and undermines this type of guideline for all departments.
Source: Terra
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