Despite being considered the business community’s favorite to run in this year’s presidential election, the governor of , (Republicans), has generated little mobilization of senior executives and business owners around a possible candidacy.
On Friday (23), he once again declared that he will not run for President this year and the name (PL-RJ) for the election, which hinders Tarcísio’s rapprochement with representatives of the private sector who encourage him to enter the dispute.
Businesspeople heard by Sheet They state that he has kept his distance from this type of conversation and has not encouraged meetings to discuss the matter. Some, however, believe that it is still too early to outline scenarios.
“I believe that Tarcísio will not run as a candidate without Bolsonaro’s approval. But, if the polls do not show the strength of Flávio’s candidacy, I see good chances that Tarcísio will be nominated. And, in that case, I believe he would accept”, says businessman Antonio Carlos Pipponzi, member of the administrative board of the RD Saúde group, which brings together the Raia and Drogasil brands.
According to the president of a multinational who asked not to have his name published, his colleagues in the private sector are currently divided into three perspectives for the 2026 election: a smaller group defends the return of the most radical wing of Bolsonarism, a decreasing group still supports a Tarcísio candidacy and a third group awaits the emergence of new candidates.
These groupings seem to have begun to readjust after the most recent move by the governor of Paraná, . (PSD), which deflates part of the business favoritism surrounding the governor of São Paulo.
Banker André Esteves, from BTG, is identified as one of the biggest enthusiasts of Tarcísio’s candidacy for the race for Planalto. For some of his supporters, the governor shows political skill by avoiding confrontation with the Bolsonaro clan, because he can inherit his electorate. When contacted for comment, Esteves declined to speak.
The leader of a large industry who also did not want his name published states that a section of the business community that is more averse to Bolsonarism is uncomfortable with the “subservience” that Tarcísio has been showing to the former president’s family.
This annoyance grew after the comings and goings of the governor of São Paulo, who visited Papudinha, and then gave a speech promising support for Flávio Bolsonaro. He states that he will visit his political godfather in prison next Thursday (29).
The assessment is that the advancement of Ratinho Jr.’s name as a possible candidate feeds the hopes of businesspeople who do not want to see a re-election of (PT), but also reject the Bolsonarism represented by Flávio and Tarcísio.
In this context, the governor of Paraná is seen as a more independent name from Bolsonaro, with less rejection and capable of uniting the right without having to endorse the former president.
The name of the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, (), is also mentioned in business conversations as a favorable alternative for the dispute, although he is seen as having less chance of progressing in the polls.
“With Tarcísio’s decision to run for re-election in São Paulo, the center-right will migrate to Ratinho Jr.’s candidacy, the only competitive option in a possible second round”, says banker Ricardo Lacerda, founder of BR Partners.
The candidates’ speeches most appreciated by the business community are those who defend a more liberal vision of the economy, with fiscal responsibility, a lean State, privatizations and interest reduction. But rejecting the polarized scenario, which prevailed in 2018 and 2022, should be a priority this year, say businesspeople.
“Society is not apathetic seeing so many scandals. It is indignant and a large part is looking for a moderate candidate who has a new vision for Brazil, away from radicalism and populism”, says Fabio Barbosa, who presided over institutions such as Santander and Febraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks) and today remains a member of the boards of directors of companies such as Ambev and Natura.
Laercio Cosentino, president of the board of Totvs, says that by 2026 the objective is to have people capable of pacifying Brazil.
“We need to leave ideology aside and demand good names with a country plan. Tarcisio’s name could be an option, as long as it is possible to focus on pacification. I don’t know if it’s utopia, but the people should choose government plans and not just names”, says Cosentino.
