The PDT has announced formal support for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's reelection, after the PT dropped its own candidacy for Rio Grande do Sul governor in favor of Juliana Brizola from the PDT. The local dispute was the final hurdle for the national alliance between the parties. The decision came on Thursday, April 9.
PDT national president Carlos Lupi confirmed support for Lula's campaign. "The Rio Grande do Sul is united for Brazil. It's Lula there and Brizola here," Lupi told Folha de S.Paulo.
The PT's Rio Grande do Sul branch initially backed former state deputy Edegar Pretto, ex-president of Conab, for the Palácio do Piratini governorship. The PDT promoted Juliana Brizola, granddaughter of former governor Leonel Brizola. On Thursday, April 9, the PT's national executive intervened, persuading the state branch to back the PDT candidate. Former minister José Dirceu joined the talks, sending a letter to PT national president Edinho Silva and the Electoral Tactics Group (GTE).
Tensions rose on Monday, April 6, when former PT state president Tarso Genro opposed intervention. "I don't believe they have the courage to intervene and tell the state militancy that our candidate is from another party," Genro said.
The PDT's endorsement aids Lula's campaign, particularly in TV airtime calculations. Rio Grande do Sul was one of three states where PDT sought PT support: also Paraná with Requião Filho for governor, and Minas Gerais with Alexandre Kalil for Senate.
