PT leaders in São Paulo view with suspicion the presidential candidacy of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), which would prompt Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) to attempt re-election in the state in 2026, in which he would enter as a favorite. However, the objective is clear: convince the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad (PT), to face the conflict for the government of São Paulo, repeating the conflict that occurred three years ago, or call for the recall of the former governor and current vice-president of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB).
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Tarcísio’s favoritism in the state, based on ongoing election surveys or that measure the government’s level of approval, is publicly downplayed. PT members reject the idea that this could be a “sacrifice” and claim that the political moment is different. In Haddad’s case, there is some enthusiasm for the economic agenda. Alckmin, meanwhile, is seen as an experienced politician, capable of reducing resistance from within and drawing concrete comparisons with the current government.
This Tuesday 9, the president of the PT, Edinho Silva, mentioned the two names as possible strong candidates in São Paulo. He said, however, that Haddad and Alckmin would see their personal choices respected in the construction of the 2026 electoral tactics, a position that differs from other times. After being elected party leader, for example, Edinho guaranteed that the Minister of Finance would have an “electoral mission” next year.
— The best alternative is for the PT to present its own candidacy, and the ideal name, we have no doubt, is Fernando Haddad. It is difficult to convince him — says former state deputy Simão Pedro, who served as secretary to the minister when he was mayor of the capital, between 2013 and 2016. This year, Pedro organized a series of meetings with PT activists alongside former minister José Dirceu, who plans to run again as federal deputy.
According to the former MP, the agenda has progressed more due to the upcoming electoral calendar than to Flávio’s choice of Bolsonaro. Especially since, in conversations with political leaders, a widespread diagnosis is that Bolsonaro would blackmail the “Centrão” parties to stay in the spotlight and have a chance to obtain amnesty in Congress. So the senator would give up halfway.
— Haddad has the right time, because he is focused on what he is doing. He does not like to divert attention from the actions carried out at the Ministry of Finance and focuses on the challenges he faces. But obviously, if it is a call from President Lula, a mission that the president entrusts to him, this has an enormous influence on the decision, he emphasizes.
State deputy Emídio de Souza (PT) goes further and guarantees that “it is not possible to take Flávio Bolsonaro’s candidacy seriously because it was built through publications on social networks and without agreeing with the main leaders of the right. Parties like the PL, the Republicans, the PP, União Brasil and the PSD have been working together for months to oppose Lula. After the choice of Jair Bolsonaro was revealed, the leaders were shocked.
— Nothing happened, nothing changed. If they don’t even believe in Flávio’s candidacy, why should we? — he declares.
The parliamentarian close to Lula affirms that the electoral scenario for São Paulo “remains the same”, with the preference for Alckmin or Haddad as protagonists.
— There are two competitive names, no matter who is on the other side. And Tarcísio is not unbeatable. So far he is doing well because he plays alone, no one competes with him – he assesses.
Faced with the void of a left-led candidacy, the one who fulfilled this role is the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Márcio França (PSB), another who is not convinced of the possibility that Flávio will derail Tarcísio’s presidential projects. For him, Bolsonaro’s choice for one of his sons would be tantamount to giving up on defeating Lula next year.
The PSB seeks to keep Alckmin on the presidential list, by investing in the image of a loyal vice-president who brings the PT member closer to the business world. In addition, part of the government understands that the former governor of São Paulo would be more likely to accept an election to the Senate than to the Executive, since it is a position he has not yet held in public life. While at PSDB, Alckmin led the state four times.
On Haddad’s side, PT members believe that the minister’s image has been strengthened since the last elections with the economic agenda. They cite, for example, data on falling unemployment and the approval of the income tax exemption for those earning up to R$5,000 per month. Regarding the defeat against Tarcísio, they also say that it was close given the circumstances — 55.3% against 44.7% of valid votes in the second round — and that the PT obtained good results in the capital São Paulo.
— We need a strong candidacy to support Lula. Haddad has a lot to show, he is a muscular candidate, who advanced to the second round with Tarcísio. This is the best name to confront Tarcísio — said state deputy Paulo Fiorilo (PT), who also speaks of the need to win seats in the Senate against Bolsonarism, possibly nominating the ministers of Environment, Marina Silva (Rede), and of Planning, Simone Tebet (MDB).
In interviews, Haddad even shows some irritation when asked about his chances of running for anything. Souza considers it natural that the Minister of Finance would show resistance in going to the polls, not because of lack of luck, but because he is currently involved in national debates. He believes, however, that “it is not only personal position that counts” in internal party decisions when “a project of this scale” is at stake.
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