Senator Sergio Moro has decided to leave União Brasil and join PL to run for Paraná governor in the 2026 elections, backed by Flávio Bolsonaro's party. The move breaks PL's alliance with Governor Ratinho Jr. and aims to secure a strong stage for the presidential candidate in the state.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Senator Sergio Moro (União Brasil-PR) agreed to join PL after meeting with the União Brasil-PP federation leadership. PL president Valdemar Costa Neto confirmed support for Moro's candidacy for Paraná governor, breaking ties with Governor Ratinho Jr. (PSD). The affiliation is set for next Tuesday, March 24, in Brasília, per Valdemar. Moro leads voter intention polls in the state. The move aims to rally support for presidential hopeful Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) against Ratinho Jr.'s presidential bid via PSD. Valdemar stated: “We will have to unite everyone there for him to win in the first round. Otherwise we are dead because of Ratinho”. He added: “But it happens that he will run for president, so are we making zero votes in Paraná? And Moro is exploding there. Maybe, with 22 [on the ballot], Moro even wins in the first round”. PL plans to run Deputy Filipe Barros (PL-PR) for Senate, with the second spot possibly for Deltan Dallagnol (Novo-PR). The vice slot may go to the União Brasil-PP federation. Previously, there was an agreement to ally with Ratinho's successor, such as Alexandre Curi or Guto Silva, but Ratinho met with Rogério Marinho (PL-RN) to block PL support for Moro, unsuccessfully. PL conditioned any deal on Ratinho dropping his presidential run, but PSD proceeded. Historically, Moro served as Jair Bolsonaro's Justice Minister (2018-2020), leaving over alleged PF interference claims; he criticized Flávio's rachadinha in 2021 but backed Bolsonaro in 2022.
