Gilberto Kassab, national president of Brazil’s Social Democratic Party (PSD), said he is available to become the running mate of Ronaldo Caiado, the party’s pre-candidate for the presidency in 2026. Kassab said, however, that the final decision on the ticket must be made by Caiado after consultations inside the party.
The statement, reported by Estadão based on Kassab’s social media post on Saturday, May 30, comes as right-wing parties and leaders discuss possible arrangements for the presidential election. This is single-source reporting from Estadão.
What Kassab Said
Kassab said he had received with “honor” suggestions from PSD figures that he could run as Caiado’s vice-presidential candidate. Among those who defended his name, according to Estadão, were Jorge Bornhausen and Heráclito Fortes, two senior political figures linked to the party’s orbit.
“As president and activist of the PSD, I place myself at the disposal to listen to and accept any collective decision, knowing in advance that it will be the best for the future of our project,” Kassab wrote, according to Estadão.
Kassab added that the decision would require broader political negotiation, including talks beyond the party itself. He said the “final word” should belong to Caiado after the party’s internal bodies and allied forces are heard.
Caiado, a former governor of Goiás, is the PSD’s declared pre-candidate for the Planalto Palace, Brazil’s presidential office. Kassab’s statement does not confirm a ticket, but it signals that the party is considering how to make Caiado more competitive in a crowded right-of-center field.
The Right’s Search for a Ticket
The discussion is taking place as Brazil’s right reassesses its electoral options. Estadão reported that the movement comes amid political strain around Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL), after coverage of his relationship with Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master.
Another possible arrangement involves Romeu Zema, the former governor of Minas Gerais and the New Party’s pre-candidate for president. Estadão reported last week that Zema did not rule out joining forces with Caiado to make another right-wing name viable in the first round. Caiado also said there was room for the two to evaluate a united candidacy.
Such talks matter because Brazil’s presidential election is decided in two rounds if no candidate wins an outright majority in the first. Fragmentation on the right could make it harder for one candidate to reach the runoff against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party (PT), the center-left party he leads.
The Polling Context
The latest Datafolha poll cited by Estadão showed Caiado with 4% of voting intentions and Zema with 3%. Both were far behind Lula, who had 40%, and Flávio Bolsonaro, who had 31%.
Those numbers help explain why negotiations over vice-presidential names and alliances have started early. For Caiado, adding Kassab would place the PSD’s national party chief directly on the ticket. For Kassab, accepting would turn his role from party operator into national candidate.
For now, Kassab’s message leaves the decision open. He is available, but he framed the choice as collective and dependent on Caiado’s political strategy.