Governor of Rio Grande do Sul Eduardo Light (PSD), believes that the arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) opened the door for the Bolsonian right to talk to the center to search for a national project. For the two political camps to come together in the 2026 presidential elections, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul is advocating that Bolsonaro’s allies leave extremism aside.
On Friday (28), Light participated in a luncheon with businessmen at the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ), in the center of the capital, Rio de Janeiro. In an interview with reporters, he was asked about the possibility of an alliance next year with the governor of São Paulo. Tarcisio de Freitas (Republicans).
In response, Light was categorical in saying that to achieve this, Bolsonaro’s former minister and designated as the former president’s main successor would need to move away from Bolsonaro’s agenda.
He said: “Governor Tarcisio has administrative skills, he has technical knowledge, he has political ability, but in order for a coalition to be built around him, he is the one who must leave the Bolsonari and move more to the center. Not the other way around, it is not the center that will control the Bolsonari.”
He added: “I think (Bolsonaro’s arrest) will inevitably lead to the possibility of dialogue between the center-right camp and the right that eventually joined Bolsonaro, but is willing to come to the center. If there is a willingness on the part of those who joined Bolsonaro at a certain time to come to the center, then this dialogue can happen.”
Eduardo Leite also confirmed that his name is available for next year’s Palacio do Planalto race, but admitted that he could back another name that emerges in the fray.
“My desire as a Brazilian is greater than my desire as a politician to take up space. I want Brazil to move forward. If I have to lead this process, I am ready. If there is another leader and we have the right agenda, common thinking and minimal convergence, we will work to be able to help Brazil,” Light said.
Although the governor is considered a potential 2026 presidential candidate, his name is not the PSD’s first choice. party leader, Gilberto KassabDefend the name of the Governor of Parana State, Ratinho Junior (PSD), which is the nominated abbreviation for Planalto. Another possible path that the party president also supports is to endorse the candidacy of Tarcisio himself, of which Kassab is one of his main political organisers.
According to sources linked to the National Directory of the Public Security Directorate, Leyte’s most likely future is to run for the Senate in Rio Grande do Sul. Announcing the Gaucho’s possible run for president is a way to keep him on top of his game and strengthen him in preparation for a run for the Senate.
At lunch this afternoon, Light was also asked about his former party, the PSDB. The Tokana abbreviation, from which the governor departed this year, was again led by the federal deputy Esseo Neves (mg).
Minas Gerais and Gauchos were on opposing sides as well as allies within the PSDB. When Light left the party, he and Ecio were vying for the party’s leadership.
“I have great respect for the former governor and his deputy Esiu. I have always had a good relationship with him and wish him well in leading the PSDB,” Light said.