After several upheavals in the PT (Workers' Party), Humberto Costa is performing better in Recife.
In Recife, where an upset was expected due to the PT's internal divisions, Senator Humberto Costa (center) reaches 40% in the polls, the best number among PT candidates in other capital cities; in Belo Horizonte, Patrus Ananias (left) has 29%, and in São Paulo, Fernando Haddad is polling at only 8%.
Leonardo Lucena_PE247 – Despite all the instability experienced by the PT (Workers' Party) in Recife in recent months, it is precisely the party's candidate, Senator Humberto Costa, who leads the polls in the city's mayoral race. And, curiously, it is in Recife, where the internal crisis has become most evident and seemingly most pervasive, that the party obtains its best result among the capital cities. In the latest survey, conducted by Ibope, the parliamentarian reached 40% of voter preference.
Throughout almost the entire first half of this year, the internal rift reached such a point that those interested in running for election under the party's banner resorted to personal attacks against their competitors and even against the party itself, a fact that left many voters and experts skeptical about the party's popularity with the public.
But, unlike the Workers' Party candidates Patrus Ananias in Belo Horizonte, with 29%; and Fernando Haddad in São Paulo, with 8%, for example, Senator Humberto Costa ends up having a more "lively" connection with the party, since he was one of the founders of the party in the state and became one of its main leaders. Furthermore, the senator is not seen as an invention of the party. He may even be seen as an imposition, but he has a track record that, at the moment, warrants him receiving a little more trust from the population.
According to political scientist José Luiz da Silva of the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation (Fundaj), Humberto Costa's lead in the polls is explained by the social base that the PT (Workers' Party) has built since 2001, when federal deputy João Paulo took over the Recife City Hall (PCR). "The PT built a strong identification with social and labor movements in Recife during the 12 years it was in power. This, for sure, is what leads the party to have considerable electoral density and, consequently, to lead the first electoral polls," assesses the expert.
However, with the launch of the candidacy of the former state secretary of Economic Development, Geraldo Júlio (PSB), who is polling at 5%, José Luiz believes that the Recife mayoral race will become polarized between PT (Workers' Party) and socialist parties. He argues that the opposition parties are isolated and lack strong electoral support, unlike the PSB, which has Governor Eduardo Campos, and the PT, with former President Lula, former Mayor João Paulo, and President Dilma Rousseff.
"The opposition is fragmented. Geraldo Júlio tends to grow because he has a strong campaign manager, Governor Eduardo Campos, who is highly popular in the state. In any case, it is still too early to analyze this with consistency," adds the scholar.
On the other hand, Humberto Costa leads the rejection ranking among the main PT (Workers' Party) mayoral candidates, with an average of 27%. Patrus Ananias is not far behind, with 24%. The favorite of former president Lula, Fernando Haddad, at least in this aspect, presents the best result: 12%.