Alckmin's Role Central in Lula's 2026 Election Strategy Amid São Paulo Political Shifts
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin's uncertain candidacy role and shifting São Paulo alliances are shaping Lula's 2026 re-election campaign strategy.
- • Alckmin resists running for office in São Paulo if excluded from Lula's ticket.
- • Lula acknowledges possibility of changing running mate to strengthen campaign.
- • PSB sees Alckmin's role as vice president critical for election strategy.
- • Coalition building includes potential candidacies of Haddad and Tebet in São Paulo.
Key details
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has expressed reluctance to run for office in São Paulo if excluded from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's re-election ticket, marking a pivotal moment in alliance negotiations for the 2026 elections. Lula has for the first time openly admitted the possibility of changing his running mate to strengthen his electoral prospects in Brazil’s largest voting bloc.
The Socialist Party (PSB) views Alckmin's continuation as vice president as strategically crucial and plans to discuss his position in an upcoming meeting between PSB President João Campos and Lula. Pressure exists from a faction within Lula’s Workers' Party (PT) for Alckmin to seek a major role in São Paulo, a state he governed for four terms, yet Alckmin's inner circle maintains his priority remains the vice-presidency, which they believe carries greater political leverage than contesting São Paulo’s gubernatorial seat. Lula also suggested Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Planning Minister Simone Tebet of the MDB could be additional candidates to strengthen the PT’s appeal in São Paulo, signaling coalition-building efforts involving MDB support.
Since Alckmin's exit from São Paulo’s governorship in 2018, the political terrain has changed substantially, with the PSDB weakened and segments of the state's interior favoring bolsonarism, complicating the PT’s traditional dominance. Their allies argue keeping a strong candidate like Alckmin in the presidential ticket is key to countering these shifts.
Despite his resistance to candidacy in São Paulo, Alckmin remains open to talks with Lula, underscoring the importance of the state’s results to the broader election strategy. Retaining him as vice president is seen as a way to solidify the government coalition and enhance negotiation power in future political contexts.
This development comes as other electoral contenders like Mato Grosso do Sul governor hopeful Marcos Pollon reaffirm their candidacies and management priorities, highlighting the increasingly competitive and ideologically driven nature of Brazil’s upcoming electoral landscape.
In Lula's own words, focusing on "strong candidates in São Paulo" is vital for the presidential race. The unfolding discussions around Alckmin's place signal dynamic, strategic recalibrations in the final lead-up to the elections.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
