Kassab Filiates Another Governor, Marco Rocha, to PSD, Deepening Political Realignment

Brazil - Agência de Notícias Ekhbary

Kassab Filiates Another Governor, Marco Rocha, to PSD, Deepening Political Realignment

Gilberto Kassab, the influential president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), has continued his strategic recruitment of political leaders by successfully affiliating Marco Rocha, the governor of Rondônia, with his party. This significant move, which occurred on Friday, January 30th, represents the second instance in less than a week where a state governor from the União Brasil party has joined the PSD. The development underscores Kassab's assertive approach to political maneuvering as the 2026 presidential election approaches.

The previous week, on Tuesday, January 27th, Kassab had already made waves by announcing the affiliation of Ronaldo Caiado, the governor of Goiás, to the PSD. Crucially, Caiado's move was reportedly accompanied by an agreement with fellow governors Ratinho Jr. of Paraná and Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul, centered on the potential for a unified presidential candidacy emerging from their political bloc. This series of affiliations signals a deliberate strategy by Kassab to consolidate a powerful centrist-right force capable of influencing the presidential race.

These strategic acquisitions appear to be creating a palpable rift within the broader right-wing political spectrum in Brazil. By drawing key figures like Caiado and Rocha into the PSD's orbit, Kassab is effectively isolating the political aspirations of the Bolsonaro family. The presidential ambitions of Jair Bolsonaro, now largely represented by his son Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator for the PL party, seem to be increasingly marginalized by these developments. The recent addition of Marco Rocha, a figure who openly supported Bolsonaro in the 2022 elections and has voiced opposition to the former president's imprisonment, further complicates the landscape for the Bolsonaro political project.

Marco Rocha, widely known as Coronel Rocha, a former member of the Rondônia Military Police, secured his re-election in 2022 with explicit support from Jair Bolsonaro. His alignment with the former president, including his stance against Bolsonaro's conviction and imprisonment related to alleged coup-plotting following the 2022 election victory, makes his shift to the PSD a significant gain for Kassab. Rocha is expected to contend for a Senate seat, a move that would bolster the PSD's representation and influence in the upper house of Congress. Currently, the PSD holds 14 Senate seats, with only two senators nearing the end of their eight-year terms. Kassab's ambition is to maintain, if not expand, this presence, especially considering the PSD is the second-largest party in the Senate with 81 members.

In terms of gubernatorial influence, the PSD already boasted the largest contingent of state leaders, with five governors among the 27 federative units. The addition of Marco Rocha elevates this number to six, further solidifying the party's standing at the state level. This expansion of the PSD's base of governors is a critical component of Kassab's broader strategy to position the party as a major contender or kingmaker in the upcoming presidential election.

The political landscape leading up to this point had been characterized by uncertainty regarding the strength of Flávio Bolsonaro's presidential candidacy and the potential emergence of Tarcísio de Freitas, the governor of São Paulo, as a viable alternative to President Lula da Silva. Kassab's proactive approach, particularly his alliance with Tarcísio de Freitas as his government secretary while simultaneously pursuing alliances that challenge the Bolsonaro family's dominance, highlights his complex and ambitious political game. His stated support for Tarcísio, irrespective of circumstances, adds another layer to his intricate political calculations.

The convergence of governors like Ratinho Jr., Eduardo Leite, and Ronaldo Caiado, who have expressed aspirations for the presidency, and their reported agreement to potentially coalesce around a single candidate, presents a significant alternative to the Bolsonaro-led right-wing faction. The final decision on this unified candidacy is slated for April, contingent on polling data, with Ratinho Jr. currently appearing as a strong contender. Kassab believes that a PSD-backed candidate could capture a substantial portion of the electorate, potentially rivaling the approximately 20% support Flávio Bolsonaro has garnered in polls. The strategy appears to be to attract voters from the far-right who may be disillusioned with the Bolsonaros, as well as centrist voters who are wary of both Lula's Workers' Party (PT) and what they perceive as the excesses of Bolsonarism.

While the success of these maneuvers is not guaranteed, Kassab's strategic positioning is designed to ensure the PSD plays a pivotal role. Should a unified PSD presidential candidacy falter, Kassab aims to position himself as a "kingmaker," an indispensable ally capable of swinging the election outcome. This flexible approach aligns with the PSD's ethos, which eschews automatic partisan alignments. Notably, Kassab himself holds a significant position within the Lula administration, serving as Secretary of Government in São Paulo, a state led by Tarcísio de Freitas, who is seen as a political protégé of Bolsonaro. The PSD's ability to maintain ministerial positions within the Lula government while simultaneously cultivating an independent presidential candidacy exemplifies its pragmatic and opportunistic political strategy.

This complex web of alliances and potential rivalries has not gone unnoticed. The Bolsonaro camp has reportedly intensified its criticism of Kassab, viewing his recruitment of Marco Rocha as a direct challenge. Some allies of Bolsonaro have even speculated about the possibility of Kassab aligning with Lula in the first round of the presidential election, a move that would further alienate the Bolsonaro movement. Furthermore, there appears to be a degree of tension between Kassab and Tarcísio de Freitas. Kassab's recent comments suggesting that Tarcísio's visit to Bolsonaro in prison demonstrated character but also a potential lack of independence have reportedly been met with a public rebuttal from Tarcísio. This has led to speculation among Tarcísio's allies that Kassab's rumored plan to be Tarcísio's vice-presidential running mate might be jeopardized, potentially opening avenues for Tarcísio to pursue a presidential bid in 2030, leaving the São Paulo governorship open for Kassab.

Despite these complexities, the PSD's growing strength, its ambition to become the largest party in Brazil across all levels, and Kassab's strategic acumen position it as a crucial player in the national political arena. The party's ability to forge alliances across different political factions and its expanding base of support make it a formidable force, capable of influencing the direction of Brazilian politics for years to come.

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