Former minister Ciro Gomes (PSDB) articulates a unified ticket with the main opposition figures to governor Elmano de Freitas (PT) to contest the elections in Ceará in October. The objective is to structure a majority candidacy that involves names such as the former mayor of Fortaleza Roberto Cláudio and the former federal deputy Captain Wagner, both from União Brasil.
The ticket would include right-wing politicians who will compete for the positions of governor, vice-governor, in addition to the two seats in the Federal Senate. Ciro has already publicly stated his intention to run for the state Executive again, a position he held between 1991 and 1994.
— You should see a list with me, with Captain Wagner, with Roberto Cláudio to make up the majority lists. We have the other vacancy of senator to join with other allies, because what matters to us is not politics, it is facing the unpunished violence that has taken over politics — said Ciro on Friday during a press conference held after a meeting of opposition leaders.
Ciro’s approach to Bolsonarism marks his current stint in the PSDB. On Friday, the former governor stated that a final decision on the vacancies that each name will compete for has not yet been made.
— This movement of ours is for change. Let’s bring together everyone from Ceará in good faith and, if it is up to me to take on the task of leading this, for the position of governor, but until then, until I decide that this responsibility is mine, our collective is here — said Ciro.
The former governor leads the dispute for the Executive of Ceará with 44% of voting intentions, according to an Ipsos-Ipec survey released in December. Next come Elmano, with 34%, and senator Eduardo Girão (Novo), with 7%. Respondents who declared a blank or null vote totaled 10%. 5% did not know or did not respond.
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The institute also measured a second round scenario between Ciro and Elmano, in which the toucan appears with 49% against 39% for the PT member. Another 8% declare a blank or null vote and 4% are undecided.
Bolsonarist alignment
With the presence of Bolsonarist allies, Ciro joined the PSDB in October, when he responded to criticism about his approach to names linked to the former president, such as federal deputy André Fernandes (PL) and Captain Wagner.
In direct reference to Fernandes, Ciro thanked the parliamentarian for his presence on the occasion and stated that they both have “some disagreements that will be resolved fraternally”.
The PDT’s rapprochement with the PT, both at the state and national levels, was cited by the former governor as a reason for his recent dissatisfaction within the party. Ciro also demonstrated dissatisfaction with the “fried” process faced by the national president of the party, Carlos Lupi, caused by the INSS crisis, which led to his removal from command of the Ministry of Social Security.
As the GLOBO newsletter “Jogo Político”, by journalist Thiago Prado, showed in December, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is evaluating the possibility of the Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, former governor of Ceará, leading a candidacy next year for the state Executive.
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Although he says he does not want to be a candidate, Camilo has left open the possibility of running again for the position he held between 2015 and 2022 — “politics is dynamic,” he told GLOBO last month.
