The PSOL national leadership meets Saturday morning to discuss a proposed partisan federation with the PT, as well as renewing the alliance with Rede Sustentabilidade. The idea of partnering with the PT has caused internal divisions, isolating the group led by Guilherme Boulos. Despite resistance, the party plans to support Lula's reelection.
The PSOL national leadership meets Saturday morning (March 7) to discuss a proposed partisan federation with the PT. The party will also evaluate maintaining the alliance with Rede Sustentabilidade, formalized in 2022. The possibility of a “marriage” with the PT caused an internal split, exposed on social media, isolating the faction led by Minister Guilherme Boulos of the Secretariat-General of the Presidency, a key proponent of the federation.
Members of various PSOL tendencies mobilized against the proposal in recent days. Part of Boulos' tendency, Revolução Socialista, broke away, accusing the minister's core group of centralizing decisions. They claim Boulos' moves aim to position him as Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's political heir in 2030. Leaders predict Boulos' faction will be isolated, reflecting a new balance of forces in the party.
Federation supporters argue it would help PSOL overcome the performance clause, restricting access to party funds and election airtime. Federations operate jointly for four years, combining votes for this rule. In 2022, PSOL federated with Rede, now under review.
PT President Edinho Silva supports the federation to bolster the field against the right, but it has not been discussed internally in the PT, drawing criticism. PSOL opponents fear loss of autonomy, as the party emerged from PT dissidents critical of Lula's ties to center-right parties. The federation could hinder electoral strategies in 2024 and 2028.
PSOL was born in 2004 from a PT split after expulsions for voting against pension reform. It gained TSE registration in 2005 and ran its own presidential candidates until 2018. In 2022, it joined the alliance that elected Lula.
On Saturday, a majority bloc will present a resolution rejecting the PT federation and supporting the one with Rede, to be handled by the national executive. “Primavera Socialista holds about 25% of the directory, Movimento de Esquerda Socialista about 20%, and Fortalecer o PSOL around 10%. That's enough to defeat Boulos. Plus, the resolution will have signatures from seven more internal organizations. Revolução Socialista is isolated on this issue,” said a PSOL leader.
Despite resistance, support for Lula's reelection is expected to be unanimous. The meeting will also define a group to discuss priorities for a potential fourth Lula term.
