São Paulo’s Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a prominent figure in Brazil’s conservative landscape, has declared he will not contest the 2026 presidential election but will instead back any candidate endorsed by former President Jair Bolsonaro.
On the “Flow Podcast,” Tarcísio spoke of Bolsonaro’s significant influence in right-wing circles.
He emphasized Bolsonaro’s capability to designate a political heir, particularly amidst the ambiguity of his eligibility stemming from pending Superior Electoral Court decisions.
Tarcísio stated, “I don’t need to run for the presidency. I won’t, and I’ll support whoever Bolsonaro supports.”
“Regardless of eligibility issues, the future is uncertain. But, the right-wing candidate that everyone is curious about will be chosen or endorsed by Bolsonaro, and I stand by that.”
When asked about his potential candidacy in previous interactions, Tarcísio often avoided the topic.
Close sources suggest that broaching this topic too soon, especially before a definitive ruling on Bolsonaro’s eligibility, could be perceived as opportunistic.
Moreover, Tarcísio retains the option to seek re-election as governor.
Despite Tarcísio’s leanings towards the center and limited concessions to Bolsonaro’s affiliates, this week, he voiced his opposition to his party, Republicans, joining President Lula’s base.
This move would indicate possible tensions and a potential shift away from the Republicans if they were to align closely with Lula.
Tarcísio’s recent statements seem to be aimed at mending ties with Bolsonaro, especially after he faced backlash for supporting tax reforms and appearing alongside Finance Minister Fernando Haddad.
Close associates of the former president viewed this alignment as distancing from Bolsonaro’s more radical stances.
With potential discussions about Tarcísio’s future party affiliations, and the challenges Bolsonaro’s supporters face in finding a strong candidate for 2026, Tarcísio’s recent political maneuvers underscore the evolving dynamics within Brazil’s political landscape.