Governor of Goiás was chosen precisely because he fits within the right-wing spectrum, but he has no chance of winning the elections
Three names were competing for the presidential candidacy within the PSD: Ratinho Jr., Ronaldo Caiado and Eduardo Leite.
With the withdrawal of Ratinho, apparently Kassab’s favorite, the PSD president had no doubts and chose Ronaldo Caiado (PSD-GO) to contest the 2026 elections.
A Caiado’s choice does not represent a third way as an option in a polarized world. If that were the objective, Eduardo Leite (PSD-RS) would certainly fulfill this requirement as he was a typical toucan – in fact, he was a former PSDB member – more towards the center. THE Governor of Goiás was chosen precisely because he fits within the right-wing spectrum.
Despite his identification with the right, Caiado has no chance of winning the elections. His candidacy probably has the function of making support for Flávio Bolsonaro in a possible 2nd roundin addition to serving as an auxiliary line for Bolsonarism in criticizing the PT.
Another function of Caiado is to be a test for a new PSD political model. Under this logic, the governor of Goiás serves as a rehearsal for a PSD with its own presidential candidate in 2030, ceasing to be just a strong party in the National Congress and in the number of city halls. Perhaps Kassab wants to transform the PSD into an old PMDB 2.0, that is, strong, physiological, but presidential.
It’s hard to know what Kassab really wants. But it is certain that it does not leave a point without a knot. It is also true that, if Flávio Bolsonaro takes the lead, Caiado has a great chance of having a ministry.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
