The former minister () launched his pre-candidacy for the government of Ceará this Saturday (16), calling his opponents weak and toughening his speech on public security, with promises to combat criminal factions in the state.
“Today the people of Ceará live speaking quietly, they live capiongo [triste] looking to the side, afraid, terrified, humiliated by the criminal factions”, he said during an event in the Conjunto Ceará neighborhood, on the outskirts of .
Without making reference to Governor Elmano de Freitas (PT), he said that there is an “almost absolute omission” by the state authorities in combating crime. “Ceará is having a very bad time. It has been said that a weak leader makes strong people weak. That’s exactly what it’s about.”
The pre-candidacy launch event was attended by allies such as Bolsonaro federal deputy André Fernandes (PL) and former deputy Captain Wagner (União Brasil), previously opponents of Ciro.
In the act, the toucan confirmed former mayor Roberto Cláudio (União Brasil) as candidate for vice president and praised former deputy Captain Wagner (União Brasil) and state deputy Alcides Fernandes (PL), potential candidates for the Senate.
Ciro promised to fight criminal factions and became exasperated when he saw a person in the public making an alleged gesture associated with a faction with his hands. “My brother, are you wanting to be arrested? It’s going to start here. The guy is making the Red Command symbol there. Arrest him.”
Afterwards, the voter explained that it was a misunderstanding and that he had just made the “C for Ciro” with his hands. The former minister added: “Sorry, I’m a vigilante. Red Command here is going to jail”, he stated.
With his candidacy in Ceará, Ciro seeks to rebuild political capital from his electoral base. To reposition himself in the political game, he tries to create unity among opposition parties, including even .
He even stated that he has differences with the new allies and said that the union was established around the defense of Ceará.
“I don’t think I need to reintroduce myself to anyone. It would be very bad faith for anyone who wants to reintroduce me as a Bolsonarista or Lulista”, he said at a press conference.
Among the public, supporters wore green, yellow and blue t-shirts and, around the school where the event took place, flags and signs displayed the face of (PL).
Ciro’s alliance with sectors of Bolsonarism had been maturing since 2024, when his main allies supported the federal deputy (PL) in the second round in Fortaleza. The approach has been intensified since last year.
At the same time that he began to fraternize with past adversaries, Ciro expanded political differences with former allies, such as Camilo Santana and with his own brother, senator Cid Gomes (PSB), with whom he broke off relations since 2022.
This Saturday, Ciro spoke again about the conflictive relationship with his brother and said he considered receiving political endorsement from Cid unlikely.
The possibility of PL support for Ciro Gomes’ candidacy created a split in the party. Flávio Bolsonaro even declared support for him, but retreated and said that there was still no definition.
In December 2025, the former first lady went to Fortaleza to launch the pre-candidacy of the senator (Novo) for the Government of Ceará and federal deputy André Fernandes (PL-CE), president of the party in the state, Ciro Gomes.
She stated that the alliance with the politician was hasty and defended that the right should unite around Girão’s name. “You can’t form an alliance with a man who is against the greatest leader on the right,” said Michelle at the time, referring to her husband.
Ciro Gomes confirmed his candidacy for the Government of Ceará weeks after becoming Presidency of the Republic. In a speech, he reaffirmed that he was a candidate for government, but said that returning to the position he held between 1991 and 1994 was not in his plans.
“I became a candidate, but it wasn’t my plan by any stretch of the imagination because I’m already at the age to calm down, especially after what I went through with humiliation in 2022,” said the former minister, remembering that he was defeated in that election even in Sobral, his political birthplace.
pointed out that Ciro would win in a dispute against governor Elmano de Freitas (PT), but would lose in a scenario against (PT), Lula’s former Minister of Education.
In the second round, Ciro beat Elmano by 46% to 35%. Against Camilo, the advantage was reversed, but by a tighter margin, with the PT member winning by 44% to 39%.
