"Nothing changes in the relationship between the PSB and the PT"
The statement comes from the national vice-president of the PSB, Roberto Amaral, who guarantees that, even with Luiza Erundina's withdrawal as Fernando Haddad's running mate in São Paulo, the alliance between the two parties will be maintained; he also denies that this fact could have repercussions in other states.
Paulo Emílio and Raphael Coutinho _PE 247 - Political scientist and national vice-president of the PSB, Roberto Amaral, states that the withdrawal of federal deputy Luiza Erundina, whom he nominated as vice-presidential candidate on the ticket of former Minister of Education Fernando Haddad (PT) for the São Paulo mayoral race, does not alter the relationship between his party and the PT in any way. According to Amaral, Erundina's withdrawal does not change the party's support for the Workers' Party and will also have no repercussions in other locations, such as Recife (PE).
"It doesn't change anything. Nothing changes in the relationship between the PSB and the PT. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Erundina, in fact, will actively participate in Haddad's campaign," stated the socialist leader. According to political scientist Michel Zaidan, the relationship between the PSB and PT in São Paulo could determine the course of the alliance in Recife as well. The fact that the PSB continues to support Haddad shouldn't have major repercussions. "This factor doesn't affect Recife. If the PSB remains on the ticket, with or without the vice-presidential candidate, the relationship between the two parties will remain the same here (Recife) and there (São Paulo)," he reported. However, the scholar believes that a possible strain created between the PSB and the PT due to Paulo Maluf's support – the reason for Erundina's withdrawal – will be a green light for Eduardo Campos in Recife.
In the capital of Pernambuco, the internal struggle within the PT (Workers' Party) to launch its own candidate resulted in the PSB (Brazilian Socialist Party) announcing a possible majoritarian ticket, which has the support of most parties in the so-called Popular Front. In recent days, the state PT has been raising its tone and warning of the fragmentation of the Front should the allied party actually carry out its intentions. Despite this, the state president, federal deputy Pedro Eugênio, rules out a direct rupture, either with the PSB or with Governor Eduardo Campos himself.
“He (Eduardo Campos) has been signaling for some time that he wants to launch his own PSB candidate in Recife. If socialists and PT members break off relations in São Paulo, Eduardo will have the green light to do so. For this, he would also receive the support of a large part of the allied base, such as that of Senator Armando Monteiro Neto himself, from the PTB,” he added. A decision on what will happen in the Pernambuco capital should be announced by Eduardo Campos himself later this week.