The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), opened the election year with a video published on social media in which he calls for “PT out”. The post occurred one day after the one against PT president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The video begins with Tarcísio solving a simulation of a mathematical formula, which resulted in the phrase “happy new year”, written in English.
The governor then relates the phrase to this year’s elections and writes: “The formula is simple! Happy 2026 = Out PT”.
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On Tuesday, the British magazine defended Tarcísio’s name and criticized former president Jair Bolsonaro’s choice to support senator Flávio Bolsonaro as PL’s pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic.
The governor repeated several times that he will support the former president’s choice and that his focus is on the race for re-election in São Paulo.
“Flávio is unpopular, ineffective and would almost certainly lose a race against . Other possible candidates are being considered, including some competent governors. The most prominent of them is Tarcísio de Freitas, the conservative governor of São Paulo,” says The Economist.
According to the editorial, Tarcísio “should have the courage to launch himself into the dispute”. “Unlike the Bolsonaros, he is thoughtful and democratic”, says the text.
“Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Lula will give up. Perhaps, then, the right-wing parties will be able to unite? If they are wise, they will abandon Flávio and unite around a candidate capable of overcoming the polarization of the Lula-Bolsonaro years”, emphasizes the vehicle.
The Economist advocates support for “a center-right figure who reduces bureaucracy but not rainforests, who is tough on crime but does not disrespect civil liberties, and who respects the rule of law, could win and govern well.”
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“Brazil has everything at stake in 2026 — and the outcome is worryingly uncertain,” concludes the magazine.
