Eduardo seeks support from senators with a view to the 2014 elections.

PE247 - The constant maneuvering of the governor of Pernambuco and potential PSB candidate for President of the Republic in 2014, Eduardo Campos, has garnered increasing support for his project in the National Congress. According to an article published by the newspaper Valor Econômico, the socialist's latest advance is taking place in the Senate. The interest in seeking "new" is reflected in the meetings between Eduardo and senators from various political currents who see in the candidate an alternative to the PT-PSDB polarization.

Despite the senators' interest, the caveat is that Eduardo has yet to "show his true colors" or explain why the PSB remains in the allied base while working to contest the major election against President Dilma Rousseff (PT). Along these lines, the socialist has a lunch scheduled for the 16th with senators from the "Union and Strength" bloc (formed by PTB, PPL, PR, and PSC), as well as a dinner organized by his now-ally Jarbas Vasconcelos (PMDB-PE), which is expected to include nine parliamentarians from PMDB, PP, DEM, and PDT.

According to Valor, Senator Armando Monteiro (PTB-PE) observes that there is a certain fascination surrounding the PSB's project. "The atmosphere is one of growing sympathy for his candidacy," the parliamentarian reportedly said. A similar position was adopted by Blairo Maggi (PR-MT). "We have to listen to him. A democracy presupposes alternation of power. How this will evolve depends on many factors," he said.

The growing interest is explained by the fact that senators significantly influence the formation of major party tickets and state-level political alliances, whether due to running for reelection or launching their own gubernatorial campaigns. Along these lines, Eduardo has sought to connect with those dissatisfied with the treatment he has received from the PT (Workers' Party). Gim Argello (PTB-DF) is one of those who would be in this situation because the PT is negotiating a ticket for the Federal District without his participation.

Jarbas Vasconcelos, one of the few voices against the PT within the PMDB, argues that Senator Aécio Neves' candidacy is unviable due to internal disputes within the PSDB. An example of how allies view this situation is in Mato Grosso do Sul, where the PSDB broke its alliance with the PMDB.

According to the publication, members of the PSDB are also internally advocating that the party not field its own candidate and instead seek the vice-presidential slot on the socialist ticket. Meanwhile, the national president and Senate leader of the DEM party, José Agripino (RN), is trying to maintain the alliance with the PSDB, but many of his party members are resisting the idea due to resentments inherited from the last elections.

Despite the courtship from one side and the interest from the other, the article warns that interest in Eduardo Campos could wane if allegations of irregularities and misuse of public resources surface, such as the recent case reported by the press in which he was allegedly using the State Official Gazette for personal promotion, something vehemently denied by the State Government. With the electoral race underway, it remains to be seen what the next moves will be that could determine the course the PSB will take in the 2014 general elections.