Kassab's VP Bid on Caiado's Ticket Seen as Pressure Tactic by PSD Members

Within Brazil's Social Democratic Party (PSD), Gilberto Kassab's decision to run as Ronaldo Caiado's vice-presidential candidate has been interpreted as a strategic move to exert pressure. Party members believe this maneuver aims to compel state-level leaders to back Caiado, potentially influencing their support away from leading presidential candidates like Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro.

The PSD had previously granted its governors and parliamentarians the freedom to endorse any candidate they preferred, effectively releasing leaders such as Eduardo Paes, Raquel Lyra, and Fábio Mitidieri from any obligation to support Caiado. However, Kassab's direct involvement as a vice-presidential candidate is seen by some within the party as an added layer of informal persuasion.

According to two PSD members interviewed for this report, Kassab is leveraging his personal relationships with allies. These allies reportedly feel constrained by the situation, finding it awkward not to publicly support him given his prominent role on the ticket. This dynamic unfolds amidst a turbulent period for Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign, marked by recent controversies.

Conversations among Bolsonaro's supporters have suggested that previous audio recordings of Flávio Bolsonaro soliciting funds had already impacted his presidential bid. In this context, Caiado had emerged as a potential right-wing alternative to Lula. Behind the scenes, discussions had even considered Caiado as a choice if Flávio Bolsonaro became completely non-viable as a candidate.