Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) told his interlocutors this Tuesday (9) that the decision of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to appoint Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) to the presidency did not surprise him and that his intention is to remain in the government of São Paulo. Despite this, close allies say behind the scenes that they still see the possibility of a possible change that could draw it into the national conflict.
The governor organized an event at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes which, according to the organization, brought together more than 200 mayors from the interior. The 2026 elections dominated the focus groups. Tarcísio gave a speech focused on his management and state investments, posed for photos, spoke with mayors and said, in one of the circles, that he knew Bolsonaro and that the move towards Flávio was expected.
He also said he should not participate in the senator’s discussions with the financial market in the coming days, due to negative reactions from executives to the former president’s decision.
Until last week, the governor attended events where he addressed national issues and was treated like a presidential candidate.
Despite this, he told his interlocutors after choosing Flávio that he did not have the profile of a political articulator and cited, as an example, that during the weekend his concern was to follow Flamengo, his team, which this year became Brazilian champion, and the championship round.
The governor mentioned that at least three secretaries must leave the government to run for office and cited deliveries planned for 2025, such as the northern section of the Rodoanel and the 17-Ouro and 6-Orange lines of the metro.
He was approached by journalists at Tuesday’s event, but chose not to grant an interview. Monday (8), in Diadema (ABC), he declared that he would support Flávio, but that the right should present other names in the presidential election.
Around Tarcísio, Bolsonaro’s decision caused the disorganization of his main allies, united around the governor’s presidential campaign.
The members of the PL believe that Flávio’s candidacy is a consolidated fact, but reversible, and that the attention of the State has become the definition of the name of the vice president on Tarcísio’s re-election list. The current vice-governor, Felício Ramuth (PSD), occupies this position, but the PL intends to claim it.
“We will wait for this consolidation (of Flávio’s candidacy). So, if the candidacy for re-election of our governor Tarcísio de Freitas remains, the parties that are part of his base will sit down and discuss the succession, the vice-president, the two vacant seats in the Senate”, declared the president of Alesp, André do Prado (PL), tipped for the government if Tarcísio ran for president.
A PSD leader said the senator’s candidacy risked becoming unfeasible due to a lack of support before the election period and that Tarcísio remained in the running. For another ally, who spoke with reserve, when Flávio launched himself, he took on the articulation of the candidacy alone, a task that was previously carried out in a shared manner among center-right leaders.
Another member of the environment estimated that the decision could encourage the center to approve the amnesty, offering freedom to the former president in exchange for the withdrawal of Flávio’s candidacy.
In Brasilia, however, as the Leaf According to reports, the center parties are threatening to isolate the senator’s candidacy and reject pressure to approve the amnesty plan. On the other hand, the President of the House decided to include on the agenda the bill which reduces the sentences of people convicted of coup plots.
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