Ciro Gomes names Caiado, Renan Santos as presidential vote options, overlooks Flávio Bolsonaro

Ceará gubernatorial pre-candidate Ciro Gomes (PSDB) has outlined potential presidential vote options for his party, identifying Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) and Renan Santos (Missão) as viable choices. Notably, Gomes did not mention Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a pre-candidate for the presidency under the PL party, despite ongoing PSDB efforts to forge an alliance with the PL.

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Aécio Neves decided he was no longer a candidate [for the presidency], but he hasn't opened the conversation with the party president about the PSDB's direction. Tasso Jereissati and I are exchanging ideas. I, for example, get along very well with Ronaldo Caiado and would vote for him without any difficulty.

Gomes shared his views in an interview with Portal News Cariri, explaining that while the PSDB has not finalized its presidential endorsement, he personally finds Caiado a strong candidate. "I get along very well with Ronaldo Caiado and would vote for him without any difficulty," Gomes stated. He also expressed interest in Renan Santos, acknowledging the candidate's youth but praising his perceived truthful discourse, despite some perceived exaggerations.

Discussions within Gomes' political group are ongoing, with varying viewpoints on presidential endorsements. Gomes emphasized that internal divergences are not problematic. He noted that Senator Alcides Fernandes, a PL pre-candidate for senator and state deputy, supports Bolsonaro, while Mauro Benevides, a federal deputy coordinating Gomes' government program, backs Lula. Gomes affirmed that these differences are acceptable.

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[I am also] following this new development that has appeared, which is Renan Santos. He seems like a person who, despite being young and all, is saying very true things, although here and there there are exaggerations. Anyway, it's a possibility, but we will have to do this together.

The potential support of the PL for Ciro Gomes' gubernatorial bid in Ceará has reportedly caused friction between former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and Flávio Bolsonaro. Michelle Bolsonaro has rejected the alliance, referencing past criticisms Ciro Gomes leveled against Jair Bolsonaro during previous presidential elections. Gomes, who ran for president in 2018 and 2022 with the PDT and served as a minister under Lula, has had a falling out with the Workers' Party in recent years.

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For example, today our senator [PL pre-candidate for senator and state deputy] Alcides [Fernandes] votes for Bolsonaro, for Flávio Bolsonaro. Mauro Benevides [federal deputy for União Brasil], who coordinates my government program, is Lula's vice-leader, votes for Lula. And everything is fine, there is no problem.