João Paulo does not rule out running for mayor of Recife in 2016.

Pernambuco 247 - João Paulo, the PT's candidate for Senate and a federal deputy, does not rule out the possibility of running for Mayor of Recife in the 2016 municipal elections. According to the PT member, who has already governed the Pernambuco capital for two consecutive terms, he will only run for the position of Mayor again if called upon by the party.

"We don't know what will happen. First, I have to fight to get elected senator. As for my future, my wish is to finish my term as senator. Now, there's the party, which is a higher authority than my own will," he said in an interview with JC Online.

João Paulo notes, however, that this would be an extreme situation. At the moment, he is focused on being elected senator and remaining in the Upper House until the end of his term. The parliamentarian leads the polls for the Senate with 34%, according to an Ibope survey released this week. Former minister Fernando Bezerra Coelho (PSB) appears in second place, with 28% of the preference of Pernambuco voters.

"There's a feeling not only in Recife but also in the Metropolitan Region and the interior. I left with 88% approval, so there's a good reference to my administration as mayor. That's why there's a desire from part of the party and part of the population. I would very much like to complete my term as Senator; running for mayor would be an extreme, especially since the party has other names and our coalition does too," the Workers' Party member emphasized in the interview.