The deterioration in the relationship between the governor of São Paulo, , and his Secretary of Government, , which had already been facing problems since last year, reached its peak in recent weeks. According to interlocutors, the climate between the two is bad and the PSD president is expected to leave state management in a short time.
According to allies, Tarcísio was uncomfortable with the idea of expanding his own party, mass joining mayors and deputies from other parties within the government base and creating political articulation for the governor.
Tarcísio would also be dissatisfied with the pressure to choose the secretary as vice-president on the re-election ticket, a position that Kassab disputes with the current vice-president and co-religionist, Felício Ramuth (PSD), and president of the Legislative Assembly.
The governor was also angered by the leak of information that Ramuth is suspected of having laundered more than US$1.6 million (around R$8.3 million), which he denies. On Monday (23), Tarcísio said that “there is always gossip before elections” and denied that the case had an influence on the formation of the ticket.
Members of the base speculate that the leak may have come from Kassab or André, to undermine Ramuth’s chances of remaining in office. Wanted by Sheetthe president of Alesp vehemently denied any participation in the episode. “That’s not in my nature. I would never do it,” he said.
Kassab also denied involvement, through his advisor. “Kassab denies and regrets the very low level of apocryphal intrigues that are circulating,” he stated.
The secretary and the governor declined to comment on the deterioration in the relationship.
As Government Secretary, responsible for controlling the budget for amendments and agreements and passing them on to city halls, Kassab went on to multiply the number of mayors affiliated with the PSD by seven.
Members of other parties, dissatisfied with the secretary’s appetite, began to say that he used his influence in management to attract members to his party. Kassab was also accused of facilitating the release of agreements for PSD mayors.
This movement irritated Tarcísio, who told interlocutors, until the middle of last year, that his secretary “sold in the square” a command of the public machine that he did not hold.
In December, the PP even threatened the Palácio dos Bandeirantes in the next elections. The party released a note complaining about the government’s lack of attention, citing growing discontent among mayors.
At the end of the year, Kassab publicly stated that he could coordinate the elections. According to two allies of Tarcísio, the governor found out about the information through the press, and they both had a conversation.
Tarcísio did not oppose the movement, but asked the secretary to be informed, so that he could choose a replacement for the portfolio. Kassab would have understood, in that conversation, that, if he left at that moment, he would not be able to appoint a replacement. Therefore, he did not formalize his intention.
Interlocutors of the two believe that Kassab will leave the department by April at the latest. This is because Tarcísio has already warned his assistants that whoever continues in management should be focused on the government, and not on the elections.
An ally of the governor states, however, that the secretary may leave before then, because the climate is not one of continuity.
The secretary’s interlocutors have already stated in private conversations that he wants to remain in office, avoiding a public break with Tarcísio, at least until the end of the party window, at the beginning of April. During this period, parliamentarians can change parties without losing their mandate.
According to these reports, Kassab wants to prevent a fight with the governor at this time from resulting in a stampede of PSD deputies, weakening the list of candidates in October.
Another ally of the secretary sees the meeting with his three presidential candidates – the governors (RS), Ronaldo Caiado (GO) and (PR) –, scheduled for next week, as a demonstration of strength by the PSD and a message to Tarcísio that the party will be important for the governor in his bid for re-election.
EXCHANGE OF BARBES
Tarcísio’s discomfort with the municipal Kassab of 2024. In recent months, however, the wear and tear has deepened.
An ally believes that the perception has gained momentum among the governor that Kassab works more for himself, and for the PSD, than for the government.
The insistence on placing himself as vice-president, according to this interlocutor, also bothered Tarcísio, who should not choose for his ticket someone who will already begin the new term preparing the ground to be the next governor.
The wear and tear became public in a speech by Kassab about Tarcísio’s relationship with former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), in January.
Asked if he had already advised the governor not to tie himself politically to Bolsonaro, the secretary replied that he considered Tarcísio’s gestures of gratitude to his former boss important, but that he also needed to show his identity. “One thing is gratitude, recognition, loyalty. Another thing is submission,” he said.
The statement was made, who, the following day, stated that he has a relationship of gratitude and friendship with the former president, “absolutely nothing to do with submission”.
Last Thursday (19), on an agenda in Itapecerica da Serra, in Greater São Paulo, the governor returned to the subject, with a hint to Kassab. “I find it interesting that people sometimes want to label loyalty as submission. One thing has nothing to do with the other,” he said. “Unfortunately, friendship and loyalty in politics have become rare attributes.”
The following day, the president of the PSD published a message on social media in which he stated that he had been privileged “with good friends and advisors”, which was interpreted as a response to the governor.
