The PSDB has been carrying out research and intensifying conversations with other parties to facilitate the pre-candidacy of former mayor of Santo André (SP) Paulo Serra for the government of São Paulo. The movement is closely monitored by the campaigns of Fernando Haddad (PT) and Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), since the entry of the toucans into the dispute could change the distribution of votes and influence the holding of a second round, which is desired by the PT.
In an interview with EstadãoPaulinho Serra, as the former mayor of Santo André is known, stated that the viability of his pre-candidacy depends on the formation of a party alliance.
According to him, negotiations have progressed in recent weeks, especially with Democracia Cristã (DC) and Solidariedade, the latter chaired by federal deputy Paulinho da Força (SP). In parallel, the toucan holds talks with Missão, a party of the Movimento Brasil Livre (MBL), and with Avante.
“The PSDB-Cidadania federation is focused on building a candidacy in São Paulo. It is not yet consolidated because our objective is to expand the alliance. If this does not happen, it will be very difficult to make it viable”, says Paulinho Serra.
A wing of the federation, however, intends to end the uncertainty and tries to bury the tucana candidacy at a meeting of the State Executive scheduled for this week. This group’s preference is to support Tarcísio’s re-election. Paulo Serra says he is unaware of the meeting and denies that the candidacy will be rejected.
State president of the federation, federal deputy Alex Manente (Cidadania) states that his own candidacy would help to rescue the identity of PSDB and Cidadania in São Paulo, acronyms that according to him defend fiscal responsibility and the reduction of social inequality, but with a liberal vision of the economy.
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“It is always very important to have a candidacy. The only thing is that it cannot be used to collaborate with PT processes, as we see them announcing. We will not serve the PT”, declared Manente.
Internal research commissioned by the PSDB indicates that the main challenge facing Tucana’s candidacy is time. With the official start of electoral propaganda scheduled for August 16, the party would have a short window to expand the electorate’s knowledge about Paulo Serra, present its proposals and structure the campaign.
“That’s why we value the alliance with other parties, as it would increase television time and the number of deputies and mayors campaigning for us,” said Paulo Serra.
Campaign financing is also seen as an obstacle by the toucans, as the PSDB must prioritize the election to Congress and sending resources to competitive candidacies in the States. Ceará is one of them. There, former governor and former presidential candidate Ciro Gomes appears well positioned in the polls and is seen as a name with a real chance of victory.
The federal deputy and national president of the PSDB, Aécio Neves, said that the party works to build an alternative to polarization both at the national level and in the states, especially São Paulo.
“Former mayor Paulo Serra is our pre-candidate for the government of São Paulo and we believe that, due to his trajectory and administrative experience, he could become a viable alternative for those who have become tired of this polarization. The national leadership of the party and the federation continue working to build a robust alliance around his name”, stated the leader.
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Privately, an ally of Paulo Serra stated that the former mayor is more “excited” about the possibility of running for governor of São Paulo.
Although the chances of victory are considered low, the assessment is that an election with few candidates placed could offer the toucan an opportunity to project his name in the State. At the same time, the PSDB’s own candidacy in São Paulo is seen as important for the national effort to rebuild the party, which was in charge of Palácio dos Bandeirantes for almost 30 years.
One of the problems is that Paulo Serra is identified by leaders as a potential vote-getter for the party’s ticket to the Chamber of Deputies, and his entry into the race for Palácio dos Bandeirantes could hamper the party’s plans to expand its federal bench.
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Tucana candidacy interests the PT
One of the parties most interested in the PSDB’s own candidacy for the government of São Paulo is precisely the PT, the Tucanos’ historical rival. Members of Lula’s party even tried, unsuccessfully, to open negotiations for an alliance in the first round. The possibility, however, is rejected within the PSDB.
Behind the scenes, PT members assess that the entry of a Tucano candidate into the dispute would reduce the chances of Tarcísio winning in the first round, a scenario highlighted by some electoral polls. The understanding is that an early definition of the São Paulo election could demobilize part of Lula’s electoral base in the country’s largest electoral college, damaging the presidential campaign.
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The evaluation takes into account the small number of pre-candidates in the State. In addition to Tarcísio and Haddad, only Paulo Serra and federal deputy Kim Kataguiri, from Missão, appear to score in the surveys. Kim, however, has not yet decided whether he will run for the São Paulo government or seek re-election to the Chamber.
