Brazil's PSD party officially named Goiás Governor Ronaldo Caiado as its pre-candidate for the 2026 presidential election on Monday (30), following Ratinho Junior's withdrawal. Caiado pledged broad amnesty for those involved in the January 8 events to pacify the country. The decision drew mixed reactions from party leaders.
PSD, led by Gilberto Kassab, announced the selection of Ronaldo Caiado as pre-candidate after considering governors Ratinho Junior (Paraná) and Eduardo Leite (Rio Grande do Sul). Ratinho Junior withdrew from the race, while Leite expressed dissatisfaction.
In a statement, Caiado called for broad, general and unrestricted amnesty for participants in the January 8, 2023, coup acts, including former President Jair Bolsonaro, to end polarization. The governor highlighted his record in Goiás, where the state reached fifth place in lowest homicide rates in 2025 and improved in the States Competitiveness Ranking, attaining fifth in fiscal solidity.
Ratinho Junior praised Caiado on social media: “The party's choice of the Goiás governor reinforces that the party bet on an approved manager with nationally recognized work, especially in vital areas like education and security.” Eduardo Leite criticized the decision in a video, stating it tends to reinforce polarization in the country.
Federal deputy and pastor Otoni de Paula joined PSD the same day to help Caiado reach evangelicals. “Caiado is a legitimate conservative,” Otoni said, calling him “the balm of the evangelicals.”
