Simone Tebet could be Lula's way out of the São Paulo gubernatorial race.
With Fernando Haddad and Geraldo Alckmin declining the vice-presidential nomination, the Minister of Planning may face Tarcísio de Freitas.
247 - The Minister of Planning and Budget, Simone Tebet (MDB-MS), has come to be considered by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) as a possible alternative to face the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos), in a potential dispute for the Palácio dos Bandeirantes (São Paulo state government headquarters).
The minister's name is gaining traction in a scenario where Tarcísio appears as the favorite in opinion polls, while President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government begins to outline political strategies focused on state-level alliances for 2026. In this context, Tebet is seen as a relevant figure to broaden the field of alliances in the state and compete for political space.
The political landscape of the São Paulo gubernatorial race is undergoing a reconfiguration, with the emergence of other prominent figures besides Tebet, such as the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad (PT), and the Vice-President, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB).
