Lula wants Emídio de Souza to lead the PT-SP (Workers' Party of São Paulo).
The former president intervened in the internal dispute of the São Paulo state branch and determined that the former mayor of Osasco would be the next leader of the party in the state, according to a report in Valor Econômico; the congressman would have greater availability to dedicate himself to the position, which is strategic for the 2014 São Paulo state gubernatorial elections.
SP247 – Former mayor of Osasco, Emídio de Souza, is former president Lula's preferred candidate to succeed Edinho Silva as head of the PT (Workers' Party) in São Paulo. According to a report by... Valor Econômico This Monday, the 8th, the PT leader intervened in the dispute and determined that Emídio would be the party's leader in the state, instead of Congressman Vicente Cândido, who was the favorite until then.
The reason given is Emídio's greater availability to dedicate himself to the position, which will be of great importance to the party in the state, since the former president considers this the best time to remove the PSDB (Brazilian Social Democracy Party) from the government, where they have been since 1995. The former mayor agreed to give up his candidacy for federal deputy, unlike his opponent, who is already in office.
Since leaving the mayor's office in Osasco, Emídio has been without a post and, therefore, can dedicate himself fully to the party. In interview given to 247 In early March, the Workers' Party member made himself fully "available to the party" and said that his position is "to walk alongside Lula." Despite Lula's preference, the new leader will have to be chosen through elections, scheduled for November of this year.