The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, remains the favorite in all scenarios for the dispute
With the change of parties between the ministers of the Environment, Marina Silva (Rede), and Planning, Simone Tebet (MDB), in view, the PT is trying to start designing the strategy for the election in São Paulo and expects a definition by the end of March.
The party’s state president, federal deputy Kiko Celeguim, told the column that the party works with all ministers within the scenario, as it is important to have a strong platform for President Lula in the state, the largest electoral college in the country. He reinforced the idea of definition after Carnival, focusing on March.
The assessment, however, is that the priority for the vice-president and minister of Industry is to remain in office, so that the ticket can run for re-election. Geraldo Alckmin was well received and was seen as a key player in important moments in the federal government, such as in the negotiations over the “tariff” imposed by the USA.
In this sense, the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, continues to emerge as the favorite. The reading is that, even in a scenario without the current governor, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), running for re-election, Haddad could be important – this is because the objective goes beyond trying to win the election, but rather, having a strong and well-known figure to boost Lula’s state.
Despite recent defeats in São Paulo – in 2016, he lost the São Paulo City Council in the first round to João Doria and, in 2022, to Tarcísio in the race for São Paulo governor, this time in the second round –, Haddad is still seen as a figure with strong influence. The 2022 result was not considered bad, on the contrary: in total, Tarcísio de Freitas won 55.30%, against 44.70% for the current minister. The resistance comes from Haddad himself, who would not have the desire for a new dispute.
Other names have been evaluated by the PT. Case of Simone Tebet and Marina Silva. In their favor, the two would have the fact that they are women – the State of São Paulo has never had a female governor. They are considered, however, less competitive names in the case of “going head to head” with Tarcísio or less motivating for Lula. Therefore, they have been thought of as candidates for the Senate.
Still in the running are the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Márcio França (PSB), who previously governed São Paulo and had a significant vote against João Doria, and the Minister of the Communication Secretariat, Guilherme Boulos (PSOL) – the latter, in a more remote way, as the plan is to accompany Lula in this position until the end of the term, also to strengthen the current president.
