Ratinho Júnior Puts Name Forward for PSD Presidential Bid, Confronts Party Alliances in Key States

Overview

• After an event at the Palácio Iguaçu, the Paraná governor said he would accept the challenge if chosen to lead a new project for Brazil.
• Ratinho Júnior met Kassab this week as the party commissions electoral research to refine tone and gauge viability.
• O Globo reports resistance from PSD leaders in at least six states committed to Lula or local arrangements, complicating a unified national push.
• Examples cited include Minas Gerais tied to Romeu Zema’s orbit via Matheus Simões, Eduardo Paes in Rio signaling loyalty to Lula, and Bahia’s Otto Alencar reaffirming support for the president, while Ceará’s PSD says it will follow Kassab nationally.
• The opening for a moderate-right alternative has grown after Tarcísio de Freitas signaled a reelection bid and Flávio Bolsonaro’s entry drew pushback, with Ratinho targeting market actors and centrist voters with an anti-polarization message.