A rapprochement between PT and PSB? "I don't know what kind of meeting that was."
The recent rapprochement between the PTB and the PT, aiming to build a strong platform for President Dilma's reelection, which could also have repercussions in the Pernambuco elections, does not seem to worry Governor and likely candidate Eduardo Campos; as Armando aspires to the leadership of the state executive branch, a rapprochement with the PT could alter Campos' plans to choose his successor; "I don't know what that meeting was about. Succession will be discussed in 2014," said Campos.
PE247 The recent rapprochement between the PTB and the PT, formalized last week, aimed at building a strong platform for the re-election of President Dilma Rousseff, which could also have repercussions in the elections for the Government of the State of Pernambuco, does not seem to worry the governor of Pernambuco and potential presidential candidate for the PSB in 2014, Eduardo Campos. "When? I don't know what meeting that was. Regarding succession, that will be discussed in 2014," said the governor.
Last week, Senators Humberto Costa (PT) and Armando Monteiro Neto (PTB) met to discuss next year's major election, and both stated that President Dilma could have more than one platform in the state. Since Armando also intends to run for Governor, his rapprochement with the PT could be seen as an indication that the PTB might leave Eduardo Campos's support base to attempt a solo run for the Palácio do Campo das Princesas (Governor's Palace).
Although Humberto has already ruled out running for Governor of the State, the party's national leadership has announced several times that the party will have its own candidate to contest the Pernambuco succession. The name of fellow party member and federal deputy João Paulo has also been considered as an alternative, but there is still no decision on this possibility. And while the PT (Workers' Party) remains without a candidate, Senator Armando Monteiro Neto has been intensifying his campaign throughout the state.
This move is seen as a way to pressure Governor Eduardo Campos to comment on the state succession. So far, Campos has remained faithful to the PSB's mantra that the party will only discuss the elections at the beginning of the 2014 election year. Armando, who is vying for the chance to succeed the governor, has been trying to gain ground with other interested parties in leading the state executive branch.
In this context, names like Vice-Governor João Lyra, who is preparing to leave the PDT and join the PSB, the Minister of National Integration, Fernando Bezerra Coelho, and technical figures such as the Secretary of the Civil House, Tadeu Alencar, and the Secretary of Cities, Danilo Cabral, are being considered. Since Eduardo has not yet indicated who will be chosen, Armando and Fernando are the ones who have been most active in gaining ground and forming alliances. In this case, the rapprochement with the PT could strengthen Armando's name, whether within the Popular Front – the alliance supporting the Campos government – or even to attempt a solo run, but with the support of the PT and a push from President Dilma herself.