The governor of Paraná, (PSD), stated during a press conference this Thursday (26) that the decision he took was very difficult and that “family and commitment to the people of Paraná” influenced the retreat.
“The PSD had three names that were being analyzed internally and I made a very difficult decision, there’s no doubt about it. I was very excited about being an option for the Brazilian,” said Ratinho Junior during an official meeting in Pato Branco, in the interior of Brazil.
He stated that “the commitment to the people of Paraná to stay until the last day of the mandate” weighed in his decision.
The governor at the end of 2024 and, throughout 2025, worked to enter the dispute, including traveling to other states to meet with the business community. He talks about withdrawing on Monday (23).
With the departure of Ratinho Junior, governors Eduardo Leite (Rio Grande do Sul) and Ronaldo Caiado (Goiás) remain PSD pre-candidates for Planalto. The party’s decision will be announced by next week.
During this Thursday’s press conference, Ratinho Junior indicated that the focus is now on the state. “The idea is to make deliveries in the coming months and build [a candidatura de] someone who can continue this work. Pass the baton,” he said.
In Paraná, the e has had difficulties finding a name capable of facing the senator at the polls. The former judge has been leading voting intention polls and, alongside presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), in one of President Lula, a pre-candidate for re-election.
“I’m very afraid that the fights in Brasília will disrupt Paraná. We managed to protect the state for seven years from this fight, which brings a lot of damage to Brazil. My role is to shield this, to protect the people of Paraná”, he said.
Until Moro’s affiliation with the PL, the party was part of Ratinho Junior’s group in Paraná. Now, PL leaders who follow the governor’s side are articulating a disaffiliation movement.
Of the 53 PL mayors in Paraná today, at least 48 are willing to leave the party to continue in Ratinho Junior’s group, according to federal deputy Fernando Giacobo, who met with the managers this Thursday, in Curitiba.
Giacobo resigned as president of the PL in Paraná shortly after Moro joined and left the party. This Thursday, he told Sheet that there was one by former president Jair Bolsonaro and that the group will remain united around the name that will be chosen by Ratinho Junior to run for the state Executive.
Federal deputy Filipe Barros, who took command of the party in Giacobo’s place, stated in a statement that he and Moro will “dialogue with great responsibility and respect” with all mayors, vice-presidents and parliamentarians. Barros is a pre-candidate for senator on Moro’s ticket.
In addition to the former judge, two other names have already been launched for the race for Government of Paraná: that of the former mayor of Curitiba Rafael Greca (MDB) and that of state deputy Requião Filho (PDT). The deputy is the son of former senator and former governor of Paraná Roberto Requião, who this Thursday ran as a pre-candidate for federal deputy for the PDT.
