Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) announced Gilberto Kassab as his vice-presidential pre-candidate for the 2026 election on Wednesday [1].
The selection signals a strategic shift toward governability, pairing a regional leader with a seasoned political operator to build a broader coalition for the presidency.
Caiado made the announcement on July 1 [1] at the PSD party headquarters in Brasília [2]. The event was marked by the absence of several PSD governors, though the ticket aims to present a unified front. Kassab, who serves as the national president of the PSD, is viewed as a key asset for managing legislative relations.
Caiado said the choice was necessary to create a ticket with strong political articulation. He described the pairing as a "puro sangue" — or pure-blood — ticket designed to ensure a functional administration if elected [3].
"Tem que ter chapa pensando na governabilidade; Kassab é o que preciso," Caiado said [3].
During the event, Caiado also commented on other potential contenders in the race. He addressed the viability of other candidates, specifically mentioning that Flávio Bolsonaro would likely struggle in a general election. Caiado said Flávio would lose to Lula in the second round [4].
The move to include Kassab is intended to provide the campaign with a level of political maneuvering that Caiado believes is essential for winning the presidency. By securing the party president as his running mate, Caiado aligns his candidacy with the internal machinery of the PSD [3].
“Kassab é o que preciso”
The pairing of Caiado and Kassab represents a calculated move to balance ideological appeal with pragmatic power. By selecting a party chief known for high-level political negotiation, Caiado is attempting to mitigate risks regarding legislative gridlock and coalition building, which are often the primary hurdles for presidential candidates in Brazil's fragmented party system.
