The Minister of Education, , admits the possibility of replacing the vice-president () in favor of expanding the range of alliances around the president’s re-election candidacy ().
Describing Alckmin as an extraordinary, correct and loyal person, the minister highlighted the politically polarized environment to justify the search for new allies.
In an interview with Sheet granted this Tuesday (24), Camilo named the most viable partner and highlighted the Minister of Transport, and the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, as strong names for Lula’s vice president. Sectors of the party work to bring the party closer to the President of the Republic, .
“There is no better candidate than maintaining the vice president. However, the country is very polarized. The more we expand the range of alliances, the better,” he stated.
The Minister of Education mentions that the MDB was once on a PT ticket. (MDB) was elected vice-president of . “What happened”, said Camilo, but indicated that he did not see the PT’s impeachment as a reason not to try to attract the party.
In the interview, Camilo defends articulation with the parties in the center and reiterates the importance of a candidacy in São Paulo. About to leave the MEC to reinforce governor Elmano de Freitas’ (PT) re-election campaign in Ceará, he reveals that he would prefer to complete the work at the head of the department. Camilo was elected senator in 2022 and took leave to take on the ministry. He will have another four years in office after the 2026 election.
President Lula seeks a formal alliance with the MDB. Do you believe in the possibility?
I believe.
MDB leaders put the space for vice on the ticket as a condition. Is this agreement possible?
I defend the expansion of the arc of alliances for Lula’s re-election. The closest party, which would be viable, is the MDB. You may have a dialogue with others. It is feasible to discuss space on the plate. It’s good to remember the history of . The only one that expanded, apart from the most progressive parties that were always in President Lula’s alliance, was the MDB. At the time with Michel Temer, which resulted in what happened [impeachment de Dilma]but…
Would Vice President Geraldo Alckmin be willing to give up in the name of the alliance?
This would have to be discussed with him. The president has already spoken a little about this [].
The São Paulo PT defended Alckmin’s continued position as vice president.
There is no more extraordinary, correct and loyal person. However, the country is very polarized. The more you expand the arc of alliances, the better.
Do you believe that Alckmin would have this detachment?
It will depend a lot, first, on feasibility. It is necessary to put the discussion on the table.
In this case, who would be the possible names for vice?
I see two big names. First, Renan Filho’s. He has been a great minister, young, talented. And the other name is the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho. He’s a young guy [tem 46 anos]supported the president. The priority belongs to Alckmin, but, if it is necessary to expand, these are two good names from the MDB. And there is also the [ministra do Planejamento] Simone Tebet, another big name.
Income Tax exemption has been in effect for almost a month for those earning up to R$5,000. Why is this?
I don’t know if it is already possible to strongly evaluate the result. The person was paid there for a month, two months, three months, in a year they will practically earn another salary. It may not have the effect we expected, but it is important.
Sectors of the PT estimated that the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, would be a more difficult opponent. Now Flávio Bolsonaro is getting stronger. Was this analysis wrong?
It is the strength of Bolsonarism. When you put Flávio as Bolsonaro’s candidate, he’s a lot of work. If you place the [governador de Minas Gerais, Romeu] Zema, go upstairs too. There is no room for the third way today. Depending on the number of candidates for president, the election will be decided in the first round. Brazil is very divided. Hence the importance of expanding the alliance, puncturing the bubble a little. We will face very strong fake news in the election, especially with artificial intelligence. The law will have to be more rigorous to be able to combat this, it will have a huge impact on elections.
The polarization scenario serves as an argument for seeking to raise awareness among PT members to open negotiations, for example, with the ?
I can’t talk about state-specific issues. It is important to re-elect PT governors, support our allies and elect senators. But our priority is the national election. Any movement that is possible in the name of the national project must be discussed.
In the case of Piauí, for example, if this is important for the national project, does it have to be brought to the table?
Of course. Be it Piauí, Ceará or any other state.
In the case of União Brasil and PP, is the idea to prevent these parties from aligning themselves with Flávio at a national level?
In the first round. In the second round it is another dispute. I hope the president wins in the first round.
Do you reaffirm that Fernando Haddad could not afford the “luxury” of not being a candidate in São Paulo?
Haddad is an extraordinary figure, an admirable person and he did a great job at the Farm. It’s a great name to put in this dispute. We need names that have the strength to defend the national project and contest the election. He can be a name for the Senate or for the state government. When I say that we can’t afford that luxury, it’s because the project no longer belongs to us. If I am called up for a mission in my state, it is not a personal choice, it is for the project. I see this a lot in Haddad. He is being called upon for a mission that, at times, goes beyond personal desire.
Is it impossible for the left to get more votes from the evangelical electorate?
No. What does it mean to be evangelical? People who defend the family defend integrity. Which government took the most care of families in the history of this country? Ours, who protects the mother, who gives a nest egg so the boy doesn’t leave school. This debate will be held.
Could the Banco Master scandal cause electoral distress for the president?
I believe the opposite. If there’s a government that seeks to investigate, it’s ours, and I’m not just talking about Master. I’m talking about Operation Hidden Carbon, the INSS issue itself, which was born during the last government, but which this government had the decision to combat. It will depend a lot on the narrative, and of course it will depend a lot on events, because every day is something new from Banco Master.
Is the damage to the image caused by the Banco Master case to the Federal Supreme Court reversible? Was the court very exposed to those who want to weaken the court?
It needs to be reversible. The STF is the guardian of the Constitution. There cannot be any discredit towards the country. I think there needs to be a more in-depth discussion in Brazil regarding Judiciary relations and private relations. Even if there are no legal issues, there are moral and ethical issues. The president of the STF wants to discuss a code of ethics.
And do you defend the code of ethics?
Of course I defend it. Anyone who chooses to go into a position like this needs to know what the mission is.
Camilo Santana, 57
Minister of Education since 2023, he is an agricultural engineer, with a master’s degree in development and environment. He was governor of Ceará twice and, in 2022, was elected senator for the PT.
