PSD will define candidate for Planalto by April 15, says Kassab

The president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Gilberto Kassab, stated that the acronym will define its candidate for the Presidency of the Republic by April 15th. The dispute involves governors Eduardo Leite (RS), Ratinho Júnior (PR) and Ronaldo Caiado (GO). The statement was given this Friday, 30th, to CNN Brazil.

“The criteria is political. The evaluation will be carried out over these 60 days. This name must be chosen by April 15th. The three are very well prepared, they are three governors with extraordinary approval”, he stated.

According to Kassab, several factors will be considered when choosing. “Research, perspective, ability to aggregate in the second round, pre-campaign development and repercussion are worth a lot,” he said.

On Tuesday, the 27th, Ronaldo Caiado announced his affiliation with the PSD to maintain his pre-candidacy for the Palácio do Planalto. As Estadão showed, the governor’s entry into the party reinforced, among members of the non-government wing of the MDB, the possibility of an alliance between the two parties in the 2026 presidential contest.

While the PSD brings together three pre-candidates, in the MDB there are already suggestions for a possible composition, including the name of federal deputy Simone Marquetto as a possible vice-president.

Despite showing interest in running for President, Caiado stated that he will respect the party’s decision if he is not chosen as a candidate.

Relationship with Tarcísio in debate

Kassab, who also holds the position of Secretary of Government and Institutional Relations of São Paulo, declared this Thursday, 29, that governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) needs to make clear the difference between political gratitude and submission to former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL). “One thing is gratitude, recognition, loyalty; another thing is submission”, he stated in an interview with UOL News.

Tarcísio responded by saying that his relationship with Bolsonaro is based on friendship and loyalty, and denied any type of political subordination. “It’s at this difficult time that friends show up to say ‘I’m with you, count on me’. This has absolutely nothing to do with submission. Absolutely nothing to do with it,” he declared.

This Friday, however, Kassab stated that his response would not have been understood correctly. “When I was asked how I think Governor Tarcísio de Freitas should conduct his relationship with President Jair Bolsonaro, I responded, objectively, that in my opinion he is correctly grateful, recognized and loyal to the former president, his friend, which does not mean being submissive. A governor of São Paulo, the second highest executive position in Brazil, who has all the qualities to preside over the country, should not be submissive to anyone, as Tarcísio is not. He commands the government with own identity and character, as I stated in both interviews”, said Kassab.

Despite having already expressed public support and enthusiasm for the ally’s eventual candidacy, Kassab saw the governor of São Paulo reaffirm that he will not run for President after Bolsonaro nominated his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), as his political successor. Tarcísio even stated that he would not be a candidate for the Planalto even if he were asked by the former president.