The election for São Paulo city council president on December 15 involves tensions between Mayor Ricardo Nunes and União Brasil, with potential impacts on 2026 alliances. The party nominated Rubinho Nunes, challenging the reelection of Ricardo Teixeira, the mayor's ally. National parties intervene as PT is courted by both sides.
The contest for São Paulo city council presidency has nationalized, influencing 2026 election negotiations. In 2024, during the municipal pre-campaign, União Brasil, PP, MDB, Republicanos, and PL agreed to back Ricardo Nunes's (MDB) reelection in exchange for União holding the council presidency for four years. The party's councilors agreed on internal rotation: Ricardo Teixeira took over in 2025, with plans to alternate in 2026.
However, Nunes's base pushes for Teixeira's reelection, seen as government-aligned, sparking a rift with Milton Leite, municipal União president. Leite expresses 'full conviction' that national leaders like Antônio Rueda (União) and Ciro Nogueira (PP) will honor the deal, especially with the União-Progressistas federation forming. PL follows Valdemar Costa Neto's guidance.
On December 1, União nominated Rubinho Nunes, Nunes's rival for supporting Pablo Marçal (PRTB) in 2024. Nunes called the move ego-driven: 'It is not possible for a personal desire to override political greatness.' The base cites tradition of two-year terms and argues Teixeira, from União, does not break the pact. União considers expelling Teixeira for violating rotation.
João Jorge (MDB) claims over 30 signatures for Teixeira, but splits loom in Republicanos and Podemos. PT, with eight councilors, is pivotal: historically backing government internal elections, but one wing sees supporting Rubinho as a way to check Nunes, despite the candidate's anti-PT history. On Wednesday (3), Nunes met PT councilors and Teixeira, officially on budget but implicitly on the election. Nunes stated: 'They cannot vote for Rubinho.'