Meirelles is Kassab's candidate in São Paulo.

Leonardo Attuch_247 – Marta Suplicy, Fernando Haddad, Gabriel Chalita, Bruno Covas... and, suddenly, Henrique Meirelles. The succession scenario in São Paulo has just changed radically. This Thursday, the former president of the Central Bank formalized his departure from the PMDB. By 18 PM this Friday, he will join the PSD, created by the mayor of São Paulo, Gilberto Kassab. Furthermore, he will also transfer his electoral domicile from Anápolis (GO), his hometown, to São Paulo. What does Meirelles want? Yes, he dreams of being mayor of São Paulo and will be Gilberto Kassab's candidate – information published first by 247 (read more). hereAnd let no one be mistaken: Meirelles, who for eight years was responsible for inflation control policy, is a strong candidate who will have the support of a machine with R$ 10 billion in cash.

Cautious as always, he saved the surprise for the final moments. He wanted to be sure that the PSD would have its registration approved by the Superior Electoral Court. The deadline for new affiliations and transfers of electoral domicile ends this Friday. But the game has already been arranged between Kassab and Meirelles. Encouraged by the political strength of the PSD, which could become the third largest political party in the country in the Chamber of Deputies by the end of the weekend, he has already made his decision and is boarding Kassab's ship to be the machine's candidate. Incidentally, it was no coincidence that Meirelles recently reassumed command of the Viva o Centro Association, which fights for the revitalization of the old center of São Paulo – which is also a banner of the current administration.

The political ambitions of the former president of the Central Bank go back a long way. In the last elections, he tried to be Dilma's vice-president, but was vetoed by Michel Temer. Now, it's payback time. Temer invested heavily in Gabriel Chalita's candidacy, strategic for the future of the PMDB in São Paulo, but is being surprised, unexpectedly, by a former PMDB member. Business support for the PSD candidacy will come in droves, and in a city with a still conservative electorate, Meirelles has a good chance of being elected mayor.

The face of the PSD

Meirelles is also a good symbol of what the PSD intends to be – a centrist party that balances between the PT and PSDB. Before leading the Central Bank during Lula's eight years in office, he was the most voted parliamentarian in Goiás for the PSDB. In other words, Meirelles is a hybrid, navigating well between the two parties, but who, in Dilma's government, was sidelined. He lost control of the Central Bank to Alexandre Tombini, was appointed to an Olympic Public Authority with reduced powers, and was even invited to manage the preparations for the 2014 World Cup by the Brazilian Football Confederation – but, in this case, he preferred not to pick a fight with the government, which is at odds with the CBF.

Now, Henrique Meirelles has found the painting he always dreamed of: a saddled horse, ready to be ridden. Opportunities like this are rare, and this time he won't waste it.