In a bold move that highlights deep divisions within Brazil's right-wing political bloc, federal deputy Ricardo Salles of the Novo party has firmly declared he will not abandon his candidacy for the Federal Senate representing São Paulo. His statement comes in direct response to pressure from allies of the Bolsonaro family and Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, who have endorsed André do Prado of the PL party as the second right-wing candidate for one of the state's two Senate seats.
Salles launched a scathing critique of Prado, the president of the São Paulo State Assembly (Alesp), labeling him a product of the 'Centrão'—the centrist, pragmatic bloc often criticized for ideological flexibility. Salles argued that Prado lacks a genuine right-wing pedigree, pointing out that Prado secured his Assembly presidency with support from the Workers' Party (PT). According to Salles, this makes Prado's candidacy a strategic risk, potentially splitting the right-wing vote and handing Senate seats to left-leaning candidates like Simone Tebet, Marina Silva, or Márcio França.
The deputy from Novo drew a clear line in the sand, stating he would only consider stepping aside if the alternative candidate were Ricardo Mello Araújo, the PL vice-mayor of São Paulo. "You withdraw André do Prado's candidacy and put Mello Araújo in. If you put him in, I will step aside. Then it will just be Derrite and him. Let's see if you really want to support the right or if it's just a move by Valdemar [Costa Neto, the PL's national president]," Salles declared, framing the dispute as a test of ideological commitment versus political maneuvering.
Salles did not mince words about his view of the Centrão, stating it is "worse than the left" for its alleged corruption and transactional politics. He positioned himself as a principled alternative, citing his two decades of militancy on the right. "I am not uncontrollable, nor do I jump the gun, Eduardo [Bolsonaro]. It's that I don't sell myself to the Centrão, I don't negotiate with corrupt and transactional people. I don't want to talk to these people," he asserted, directly addressing the Bolsonaro camp's concerns about vote-splitting.
The political landscape for the São Paulo Senate race is becoming increasingly complex. On the right, the preferred ticket appears to be Guilherme Derrite (PP) alongside either Salles or Prado. On the left, the opposition coalition has already named former minister Simone Tebet (PSB) as its first candidate, with a second spot being contested between other prominent figures like Marina Silva (Rede) and Márcio França (PSB), who has signaled willingness to be a substitute.
Recent polling data from Quaest underscores the competitive nature of the race, showing Tebet, França, Marina Silva, and Derrite leading voter intentions. This data likely fuels Salles's argument that a unified, ideologically coherent right-wing front is essential to secure both available seats and prevent a left-wing resurgence in the state's Senate delegation.
As the 2026 election cycle heats up, this internal conflict within the Brazilian right serves as a microcosm of the broader struggle between ideological purity and coalition pragmatism. Salles's refusal to back down sets the stage for a contentious primary battle that could define the right's strategy and unity heading into the crucial São Paulo elections.
Based on reporting from g1.