Former Minister of Agriculture under Jair Bolsonaro and leader of the PP in the Senate, Tereza Cristina (MS) states that there is no point in the opposition launching a candidate without electoral viability against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2026, and cited governors Tarcísio de Freitas (São Paulo), Ratinho Júnior (Paraná) and former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro as alternatives. Without directly criticizing deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), who has been attacking names on the right, she stated that she hopes the bloc has the “maturity” to understand that the division only favors the government.
In an interview with GLOBO, the senator also said that it is too early to debate who will be the vice-president, a position for which she herself is tipped, and praised the progress in talks between Brazil and the United States to end tariffs.
Representative Eduardo Bolsonaro articulated in the USA economic sanctions on the country and punishments for Brazilian authorities and criticized parliamentarians, like you, who tried to negotiate an agreement with the American government. Is Eduardo harming the right?
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It’s his position. He left the country, he is there (in the USA) and he is the son (of Jair Bolsonaro). He has some reasons other than commercial ones, but Congress played the role it had to do: opening the conversation channel, carrying out parliamentary diplomacy. We are also to blame, because we left this channel closed for a long time. The result of this trip was not lost, we planted some seeds. We spoke with American senators, and this conversation flowed within the US Senate.
Eduardo announced his intention to run for President in 2026 and criticizes other names on the right, such as governor Tarcísio de Freitas. Does this stance hinder the unity of the opposition to face Lula?
There will always be people who follow one side or the other. The best thing would be for us all to be united around a name for the next elections, but I think there is still time. I hope that the right has the maturity to know that we have an adversary, which is the government that is there, and we are not adversaries among ourselves. Whoever will contest the election will be the PT against someone from the right-wing camp. The best of all worlds is for the right to sit down and discuss a viable name, because there’s no point in adding someone who isn’t viable.
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Senator Ciro Nogueira, president of the PP, cited governors Tarcísio de Freitas and Ratinho Júnior as the only viable names on the right. Do you agree with him?
They are two great names. And there are still others. Research says there are three (viable): Tarcísio, Ratinho and Michelle (Bolsonaro, former first lady).
Are the three on an equal level?
In research, yes.
Do you see the governor of Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado, starting behind? You spoke of three viable names for 2026 and he wasn’t there.
A name may appear, for example, Tereza as a candidate, but it was not in the game until that moment. It’s all messed up. In the survey (Quaest) you see Tarcísio, Michelle, Ratinho and Caiado. The one who is a little behind is Eduardo Leite. This is part of this path, but it narrows down due to the date on which these decisions are made.
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Can the right have more than one candidate?
It’s not ideal, but it can be done. It’s still early for that. The candidates are there. Polls show everyone on the right in a mess. If you join, the chance is very high.
Would it be ideal for former president Jair Bolsonaro to nominate the name this year? Why doesn’t he do this?
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I don’t know, I haven’t talked to President Bolsonaro because of his situation. I’ve even asked to go there, but I haven’t received the OK yet. He must have reasons. President Bolsonaro is a different politician. His logic is not always everyone’s logic. When the time is right, I’m sure he will do it.
Is he wrong in his strategy of not having indicated this support yet?
Not yet, there is time.
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Tarcísio has said that he will run for re-election in São Paulo, but has been negotiating with party presidents on national issues to put pressure on the Lula government. What difficulties do you see for him as a candidate for president?
Why does he have to enter the arena? The PT has already chosen him as a target. He has to take care of São Paulo, there is a lot to do there. When the right supports it, if it’s his name, I’m sure he’ll reflect and take a quick position.
You and Ciro Nogueira are mentioned as options for vice on a right-wing ticket. Are there any chances of one of the two making the candidacy?
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It’s so early for that… Vice is the last thing on the table. You have to see what brings the most votes, what makes the candidate more viable. You just can’t have a vice who takes votes.
The Union’s attorney general, Jorge Messias, senator Rodrigo Pacheco, and minister Bruno Dantas, of the Federal Court of Auditors, are the names mentioned for Luís Roberto Barroso’s vacancy on the Federal Supreme Court. Who has the most support in the opposition?
I imagine it’s Senator (Pacheco), our colleague, but I haven’t spoken to anyone yet.
Do you agree with the approval of a project that reduces sentences for those involved in January 8th instead of a total amnesty?
I don’t know both texts. I only know that one is for broad, general and unrestricted amnesty, and the other talks about dosimetry, which was a project that Senator Davi (Alcolumbre, president of the Senate) had also been developing for a longer time. The general amnesty would bring peace, but dosimetry will also bring peace by reducing President Bolsonaro’s sentence, which was very high. I have no doubt it will bring benefits.
What did you think of the conversation between Lula and the President of the United States, Donald Trump, about the tariff?
I see it very favorably. I have been a supporter of this conversation since the beginning, I have already said that President Lula should have called President Trump a long time ago. It’s a step forward in relationships. I see that diplomacy will finally relax and open a path. The roles are defined, Itamaraty, the Minister of Industry and Commerce (Geraldo Alckmin), everyone working so that we can have a horizon.
