Kassab Names Ratinho Jr. as PSD’s Leading 2026 Prospect With Decision Expected in Weeks

Overview

• PSD president Gilberto Kassab said Ratinho Jr. is currently the party’s strongest option for the 2026 presidential race and promised a final decision in the coming weeks.
• Ratinho Jr. stated he will accept the nomination if chosen and emphasized building a unifying national project over focusing on individual names.
• The party has not reached consensus, with meetings between Ratinho Jr. and Kassab advancing and Eduardo Leite still positioned as an internal alternative.
• A new Genial/Quaest survey shows Lula at 43% versus 36% for Ratinho Jr. in a simulated head‑to‑head, reinforcing concerns about competitiveness.
• The broader right‑of‑center landscape remains fluid, as Flávio Bolsonaro reaffirms his bid and Tarcísio de Freitas publicly backs him and denies running, even as some in the Planalto still consider Tarcísio a potential entrant.