Flávio Bolsonaro’s possible alliance with Moro in Paraná puts pressure on Ratinho Junior

With the scenario of the dispute for the government of Paraná still uncertain, the pre-candidacy of senator Sergio Moro (União) for the post challenges the succession project of governor Ratinho Junior (PSD). Pressured by the former judge’s leadership in the polls and by the possibility of support from Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) for his opponent, Ratinho has signaled that he will choose his supporter and secretary of Cities, Guto Silva.

Even in the face of an internal dispute in the União-PP federation, Moro states that his candidacy is “irreversible”. The president of Progressistas, Ciro Nogueira, even ruled out support for the former judge. The eventual alliance with Flávio, however, could strengthen and consolidate the senator in the state election. It would also represent a new front for his rapprochement with the Bolsonaro clan after the breakup in 2020.

If it gets off the ground, Flávio’s alliance with the former judge will have the objective of setting up a strong platform in Paraná against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Ratinho himself, who is tipped to run for Planalto — the PSD also has Ronaldo Caiado (GO) and Eduardo Leite (RS) as pre-candidates. When contacted, Moro did not want to speak out.

Opportunity with security!

In the PSDB, the name of the Secretary of Cities is seen as uncompetitive. Silva is betting on his proximity to Ratinho and the intensification of his agenda to take off:

— We have a project alignment, which puts me at an advantage in defending its continuity. There is a feeling of trust among the population in Ratinho. I have intensified political agendas to make myself known and I trust that we have room to grow.

Other names in the acronym

At Ratinho’s disposal in the PSD are also the president of the Legislative Assembly, Alexandre Curi, and the former mayor of Curitiba Rafael Greca, both better positioned in voting intention polls than the secretary. To compete in this year’s elections, the governor will need to resign from the position, and the state will have vice Darci Piana (PSD) — who is not considered as a candidate for succession by the party — in the chair until the beginning of the next term.

Both Curi and Greca were courted by Centrão supporters to run for government, including the possibility of being together, one as head of the ticket and the other as vice-president. Allies heard say that the strategy would be an attempt to count on Ratinho’s support in a possible second round against Moro. At the moment, Curi’s likely destination is the Republicans.

Leader of the PP in Paraná, federal deputy Ricardo Barros admits the party’s interest in joining Greca and says that the party maintains resistance to Moro:

— The decision of the PP executive is that we will not support Moro, a situation that the senator does not seem committed to reversing. There is the possibility of joining Greca to be a candidate for government or we can support either a name supported by Ratinho or a member of our party. Moro did not seek to join the PP, nor did he present a government plan. We don’t see it as a good option.

Greca claims that the choice was not made by Ratinho and that the governor “still talks about three names” to run. The former mayor defends the continuity of the PSD project in Paraná as a way of breaking polarization and says he will wait for the decision to define his political future:

— I’d rather be mistreated than betray an ally. If I’m not chosen, I’ll think about my future tomorrow. We will have to see in the PSD who will be better in the polls in mid-April. The governor will also choose a name that pleases the government base.