The pre-candidacy of (PL-RJ) for the Presidency fractured the São Paulo Liberal Party directory between a group that still prefers (Republicans) in the dispute and another that demands support for the election of (PL’s) eldest son.
In the first group, the strategy is to avoid explicit opposition to the senator’s name, but not to work for his candidacy. The understanding is that Flávio himself must build the electoral alliances that would support an eventual campaign.
This line of action is based on the assessment, according to party members, that the main center-right parties should not join the project and that, isolated, Flávio would have to give up the dispute, making room for Tarcísio.
The second group is made up of Bolsonaro’s parliamentary base in and has already started daily publications on social media promoting the pre-candidate.
In private conversations throughout this week with the SheetBolsonaro supporters from São Paulo criticized the other wing of the party, stating that it is more concerned with maintaining spaces in the São Paulo government than with loyalty to the former president.
“Flávio’s candidacy was Bolsonaro’s choice. The party only reached the size it has because of Bolsonaro,” said state deputy Lucas Bove (PL).
Tarcísio, until now, has acted in a way interpreted by Bolsonarists as aligned with the first group. Tipped for the Presidency and passed over by Bolsonaro, he took three days to declare support for the senator, which he did last Monday (8), stating that the right must have other candidacies.
Behind the scenes, he said that he does not have the profile of an electoral organizer, that he will dedicate himself to the campaign in São Paulo and that he should not work for Flávio’s election. Even in informal conversations, however, he denies his intention to run for President.
Center-right parties that had declared explicit support for the governor of São Paulo, such as Gilberto Kassab’s PSD and Ciro Nogueira’s PP, less than a week after the senator entered the race.
The friction between the two groups resulted in a dispute within Alesp (Legislative Assembly) for the position of leader of the bench next year.
Bolsonaro supporter Gil Diniz (PL), one of the deputy’s (PL-SP) main allies in the state, had been working hard for the post and had collected the signatures of 11 of the PL’s 20 deputies. The president of Alesp, André do Prado (PL), worked to nominate his ally Alex de Madureira (PL), who ended up with the majority of votes and took the lead.
Among Bolsonaro supporters, the assessment is that the group not aligned with Flávio did not want a name faithful to the former president in leading the party during the electoral period. In addition to having his own cabinet, in which he can allocate allies, the leader has greater influence in choosing the voting agenda. Diniz was in the United States with Eduardo at the beginning of the month and, according to allies, is tipped to run for the Senate.
André do Prado denies that the internal dispute has as a backdrop the reactions to Flávio’s appointment. “I really like Gil, I get along well with him. But, for leadership, to help me, I need a name I trust, closer to me. Alex will need to negotiate with all parties”, he said.
“President Bolsonaro, as our leader, nominated Flávio and everyone in the party will support”, stated the president of Alesp. “I’ve already called Flávio and made myself available for anything he needs”, he added.
A member of the party and one of Jair Bolsonaro’s most faithful allies in São Paulo, the vice-mayor of the capital, Colonel Mello Araújo (PL), recognizes the internal divisions, but defends the appointment made by the former president.
“It’s a scenario that everyone wanted. Tarcísio said he would like to stay in São Paulo. Mayor Ricardo Nunes said he would like to stay in city hall. With Flávio as President, everyone should be satisfied,” he said.
“With Flávio, we have a chance, for the first time, for the right to have the federal government, the state government and the city hall,” he stated.
