PT in Recife "doesn't even open for the train"
The Workers' Party is already considering nominating federal deputy João Paulo as its candidate for mayor of Recife, with Senator Humberto Costa as his running mate; the objective is to curb the PSB's intention to launch its own candidate; will they accept the mission?
PE_247 – An election that seemed destined to be a smooth one for the Workers' Party is starting to cause sleepless nights for party members who want to maintain their dominance in the Recife City Hall. With a disorganized opposition (DEM, PMDB, PSDB, and PPS), the party is left to find a worthy adversary within its own Popular Front. With the PSB signaling its intention to nominate an alternative candidate, supported by a large part of the coalition, it will be up to the PT to find a so-called "purebred" solution for the October election, in order to thwart the socialists' intentions.
The possibility of the PSB nominating a candidate has led many PT members to consider strong alternatives for the race. The nomination of Senator Humberto Costa, with the blessing of former President Lula, which was considered a definite situation, is now being reconsidered. Many PT members now want the return of federal deputy João Paulo to the mayor's office in Recife, with Humberto as his running mate.
The two, who until a few months ago did not get along within the party, have come together to prevent the current mayor, João da Costa, from running for re-election. But to what extent would the two biggest names in the PT in Pernambuco be willing to unite? In interviews, João Paulo has already said that he does not intend to be vice-mayor on a potential all-PT ticket. On the other hand, would Humberto also give up the approval of the National Executive and Lula's support to become vice-mayor?
The PT's haste is based on the indication that, of the 18 parties that make up the Popular Front, 14 are willing to follow the guidelines determined by Governor Eduardo Campos, regardless of the name chosen to represent the PSB. The favorites for the race are former state secretaries Danilo Cabral, Tadeu Alencar, Geraldo Júlio, and Sileno Guedes. PT members believe that the entry of the PSB with an alternative candidate would mean the end of the Popular Front, a fact that would complicate not only the current election but the entire scenario for 2014.
“A PSB candidacy under the current circumstances means that the Front will cease to exist. This is not something that will be seen as normal for the party. And dividing the Front is a complicated matter. It harms this election and the future one,” revealed the state president of the PT, federal deputy Pedro Eugênio, to the Jornal do Commercio. “We believe the preservation of the Front is extremely important. We will make every possible effort. What is non-negotiable is ceasing to lead this ticket, considering that we have been in charge of the City Hall for 12 years,” he added.
John of the Coast
Federal deputy Fernando Ferro, an ally and defender of João da Costa's current administration, said in an interview this morning to... According to Rádio Folha FM, the possibility of a candidacy headed by federal deputy João Paulo with Humberto Costa as vice-president is "nothing more than a rumor." The parliamentarian stated that until the National Directorate judges the appeal filed by the Workers' Party manager, João da Costa remains in the running for the right to be the candidate.