When speaking, the former governor thanked Tasso Jereissati, former national president of the party, for the invitation to ‘restart his public life’ in the party and referred to the former senator as ‘the greatest statesman in Ceará’.
The former governor of Ceará and former minister signed his membership form with the PSDB this Wednesday (22). The ceremony took place at the Mareiro hotel in Fortaleza (CE) and was attended by former senator Tasso Jereissati, former national president of the party and considered decisive for Ciro’s return to the party. In addition to tucana leaders, the event brought together representatives from other Ceará opposition parties, such as federal deputy André Fernandes, state president of the PL, and former deputy Capitão Wagner (União), a former political opponent. The State is currently governed by Elmano de Freitas (PT). When speaking, Ciro thanked Jereissati for inviting him to “restart his public life” in the PSDB and referred to the former senator as “the greatest statesman from Ceará”. He also stated that “betrayal and ingratitude eroded the possibilities” of him continuing in the PDT.
Addressing criticism received for his approach to members of the PL, he took the opportunity to snipe at the PT and the president. “When Lula is elected, he calls José Alencar, from PL. When he decided to launch Dilma, he called the controversial figure of Michel Temer. When more recently he wanted to be elected, who did he call? Geraldo Alckmin, founder of the PSDB and now a socialist (affiliated with the PSB), because for them anything can happen”, he joked.
Addressing André Fernandes directly, he stated that the two have “some disagreements that will be resolved fraternally” and highlighted differences between political allies. “They can bring differences. There are no thieves here, what about there?”, he said, still referring to the PT. During the event, party leaders addressed the expectation that the name of the new member will be able to unify the opposition against Elmano de Freitas in the 2026 elections. Ciro did not confirm that he will be a candidate for government, but declared that “the time of liberation is approaching” in the State and that he “dies for Brazil”, but “kills for Ceará”.
He highlighted the advance of criminal factions in the State and stated that it is necessary to build “what we want for the future of Ceará”. At a national level, he criticized the possibility of Lula’s re-election, speaking of “eternal Lulism that wants to perpetuate itself in power”, and said that Brazil needs to find “a great path of reconciliation around a nation project”.
Tasso Jereissati spoke about the role that the former governor will have within the party. “Ciro has two very important and historic missions at this moment: he will help rebuild a party that is needed more than ever in Brazil, a center party,” he said. The second task, according to the former senator, will be “rebuilding the pride of being from Ceará”.
Jereissati also announced that Ciro will assume the state presidency of the PSDB, while the former mayor of Fortaleza, José Sarto, will command the municipal directory.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Fernando Dias