The visit of the governor of São Paulo, to the former president, this Thursday (29), should turn the page in relation to recent disagreements between the two right-wing leaders, assess allies heard by the Sheet.
According to these interlocutors, the climate for , where Bolsonaro is imprisoned in Brasília, is one of resolution for the governor to effectively embark on the pre-campaign of () for the Presidency.
According to people close to him, Tarcísio should reinforce to Bolsonaro his decision to remain in São Paulo to run for re-election. He was considered to run for Palácio do Planalto, but was passed over by the former president, who stopped running against the president (PT).
Recent gestures, however, indicated that Tarcísio had not yet abandoned national aspirations and placed him on a collision course with the senator. The governor and the former first lady (PL) argued with the (Federal Supreme Court) for the former president’s house arrest, which was seen by those around Flávio as .
At the height of the conflict, which would occur last Thursday (22), in one for support.
The new meeting has only been rescheduled. On the one hand, the governor publicly stated that he would run for re-election, while Bolsonaro’s allies defended the former Minister of Infrastructure, highlighting their loyalty to their former boss.
This Wednesday (28), the former councilor (PL) stated on social media that he was with Tarcísio in São Paulo in a friendly meeting. “It was another very cool moment with the eternal minister, for whom I have enormous affection and admiration”, said the former president’s son.
The governor replied: “It was great to be with you today. You will always be credited with my respect and my friendship.”
Thus, people close to Tarcísio and Bolsonaro point out that the climate for the meeting is positive. The former president is expected to receive the governor cordially and indicate what to expect from him. Allies want to understand whether Bolsonaro intends for Tarcísio to prioritize creating a strong platform for Flávio or play a role as a national political articulator.
For now, there is a scattering of candidacies opposing Lula, although Flávio has hinted at a union between him and other right-wing presidential candidates, such as governors Ratinho Junior (PSD-PR) and (Novo-MG). This Tuesday (27), the governor of Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado, who wants to run for Planalto,.
Tarcísio’s aides claim that the scenario is already consolidated, with the governor heading for re-election and Flávio running for Planalto. In this sense, the visit would not bring about a twist in the electoral dispute, it would only make each person’s role more defined. The expectation is that the governor will reinforce his position of loyalty to the former president.
Considering Tarcísio’s focus on re-election, it is possible that . An agreement has already defined that Tarcísio would nominate one name to run for the Senate and Bolsonaro another. The governor was chosen by Guilherme Derrite (PP), but the PL vacancy is still open.
Tarcísio himself stated, on Tuesday, that there is no expectation of change in his electoral future, much less a request from Bolsonaro for him to run for President. “That [o pedido] it won’t happen. But I would say no”, in an interview with Jovem Pan radio in Sorocaba.
In this way, the governor’s interlocutors hope, Bolsonaro must express his guidelines for the election in São Paulo, but politics should not be the only topic between them.
“I’m going to see a friend. Generally, I take these conversations very lightly, I want to know first how he is, if he needs anything. Show that we are here with him. […] I’m going to show that we out here are working to change this situation, so that he can return to his home”, said Tarcísio during an event in Sorocaba.
Those who live with the governor say that the purpose of the meeting is to express solidarity and that they should discuss personal matters, like old friends who like each other. Tarcísio is not expected to bring up thorny topics, like his, to the former president.
Last week, the senator told CNN that the meeting was for the governor to hear that his presidential candidacy was “ruled out.” Tarcísio’s allies claim that he did not like feeling pressured and being the target of attacks, mainly because he has dedicated himself to making house arrest possible for Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro has been in prison since November 22nd. He was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison by the STF for attempting a coup d’état. He is serving his sentence in Papudinha, in Brasília, and allies denounce the deterioration of his health condition in an attempt to transfer him to house arrest.
