Senator Soraya Thronicke Confirms Senate Re-election Bid With Lula's PT Support

Senator Soraya Thronicke, a former presidential hopeful, has announced her pre-candidacy for re-election to the Senate, forming an alliance with President Lula's Workers' Party (PT). Thronicke confirmed her intention on social media, posting a photo with Lula and stating, "Am I a pre-candidate for re-election? I never stopped being one!" This move follows speculation that she might forgo her Senate bid to be a running mate for federal deputy Vander Loubet (PT-MS).

Thronicke's political trajectory has seen significant shifts. She joined the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) in April and has since grown closer to the PT. Initially elected in 2018 on a wave of support for Jair Bolsonaro, she was affiliated with the PSL, the same party as Bolsonaro at the time. She even served as deputy leader of Bolsonaro's government in Congress, advocating for conservative reforms and gun rights.

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Am I a pre-candidate for re-election? I never stopped being one!

However, her alignment with Bolsonaro began to fray during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Bolsonaro promoted unproven treatments and discouraged vaccination, Thronicke emphasized the need for wise public health action, stating, "It is a moment when public authorities must act with wisdom. Vaccination and dignified treatment conditions remain the priorities." This stance emerged during her recovery from the disease and her participation in the COVID-19 parliamentary inquiry commission.

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It is a moment when public authorities must act with wisdom. Vaccination and dignified treatment conditions remain the priorities.

In 2022, Thronicke switched to the União Brasil party to run for president, finishing fifth in the election won by Lula. She gained notoriety during a televised debate for her confrontation with PTB candidate Padre Kelmon, whom she famously dubbed a "June festival priest." After leaving União Brasil, she joined Podemos, serving as its state president in Mato Grosso do Sul. She supported a PSDB candidate for mayor in Campo Grande, who ultimately placed third. In the Senate, while with Podemos, she focused on combating violence against women and addressing sexism in politics.

Her recent move to the PSB has drawn criticism, with some labeling her a political opportunist. Thronicke defends her changes by saying she has "recalculated the route." She stated, "I entered politics in 2018 for a fairer and more prosperous Mato Grosso do Sul. On this journey, I suffered disappointments, but I recalculated the route and today I am in the PSB, alongside Vice-President Alckmin."

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I entered politics in 2018 for a fairer and more prosperous Mato Grosso do Sul. On this journey, I suffered disappointments, but I recalculated the route and today I am in the PSB, alongside Vice-President Alckmin.