PT Withdraws from Rio Grande do Sul Governorship Race to Back PDT Candidate Following Lula's Intervention
The Workers' Party (PT) is foregoing a gubernatorial candidacy in Rio Grande do Sul, backing PDT's Juliana Brizola instead, following Lula's directive to strengthen electoral alliances for 2026.
- • PT will not field a candidate for Rio Grande do Sul governorship in 2026 for the first time.
- • The party supports PDT’s Juliana Brizola after President Lula's intervention.
- • Edegar Pretto withdrew candidacy and is expected to be Brizola's running mate.
- • There is dissent within PT and opposition from PSOL over the alliance.
Key details
In an unprecedented political maneuver in Rio Grande do Sul, the Workers' Party (PT) has decided not to field its own candidate for the state governorship in the 2026 elections. This marks the first time since PT’s political engagement in the state that it has refrained from running, a decision heavily influenced by pressure from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The party will instead support Juliana Brizola of the Democratic Labor Party (PDT), forming a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening Lula’s bid for reelection. This agreement came into effect on September 9 after the PDT demanded PT's endorsement of Brizola to secure their support for Lula's presidential campaign. PT’s former candidate, Edegar Pretto, who was the former president of the National Supply Company (Conab), withdrew his candidacy and is expected to become Brizola’s running mate.
This alliance is not without controversy. The Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), which had previously supported Pretto, has expressed its disagreement with the alliance and threatened to abandon the left-wing coalition. Within PT, some members voiced internal dissent; Valter Pomar criticized what he called a breach of the party’s democratic principles, contrasting with former minister José Dirceu, who defended the alliance as a necessary strategic move.
The PT has historically been influential in Rio Grande do Sul, having governed the state during 1999-2003 and 2011-2015. This new political front led by Brizola is seen as essential to consolidate allied parties in support of Lula’s reelection campaign, with the PT explicitly stating, "There is nothing more important than the reelection of President Lula."
Current polls show former President Jair Bolsonaro's ally, Luciano Zucco, leading with 31% of the vote, followed by Juliana Brizola at 24%, Edegar Pretto at 19%, and Gabriel Souza at 13%. This alliance aims to consolidate left-wing votes to improve electoral competitiveness against Bolsonaro’s allies.
This strategic realignment highlights the complexities within Brazil’s left-wing parties as they navigate intra-party disagreements and coalition-building in face of the upcoming elections.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
