Before the meeting between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and former minister Márcio França (PSB), scheduled for this Wednesday (24) and to discuss the future of Fernando Haddad’s (PT) ticket for the government of São Paulo, some issues have been discussed in both PT and PSB regarding possible scenarios for the 2026 state election.
Among Haddad’s allies, there is an assessment that a candidacy of his own Márcio França to Palácio dos Bandeirantes could convey an image of fragility from the left field in front of governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans). The understanding is that the need for two candidacies to face the current governor could weaken the group’s discourse of unity.
On the other hand, PT members also demonstrate concern about the possibility of Fernando Haddad being defeated by Tarcísio de Freitas in the first round. The assessment is that a result of this type would have an impact not only on the dispute for the Government of São Paulo, but also on Lula’s national project in the largest electoral college in the country – since he would lose the platform. Furthermore, party interlocutors claim that a broad defeat could weaken Haddad for future disputes, including for the presidential succession in 2030.
On the PSB side, discussions also include the financial viability of its own candidacy. Leaders of the party have cautiously viewed the possible costs of a campaign by Márcio França for the São Paulo government.
The assessment is that the party already has relevant commitments in other disputes across the countryincluding candidacies considered priority, such as that of the mayor of Recife, João Campos. According to assistants, a candidacy for the Government of São Paulo was not included in the party’s initial financial planning, which has placed the issue of financing at the center of internal discussions.
The expectation is that these factors will be part of the conversations between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Márcio França at the meeting that will discuss the next steps in forming the ticket in São Paulo.
