Braga Netto’s name to Rio de Janeiro City Hall is not consensus

The Liberal Party (PL) has not yet decided on the party’s candidacy for the mayoral election of the city of Rio de Janeiro. However, there are those who say behind the scenes that the party will not launch a candidate to run against Eduardo Paes (PSD), current head of the municipal executive.

The name of General Walter Braga Netto, who was a candidate for vice on the ticket of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), was even aired as an option to face Paes, who is an ally of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). Federal deputy and former Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello, Senator Carlos Portinho and state deputies Márcio Gualberto and Alan Lopes would also be considered as options for the list.

But, according to a source within the party, the party will focus on launching candidates in other regions. The lack of popular appeal to the name of Braga Netto would also have stimulated the decision. The lack of strong names to compete against the current mayor also contributes to the non-launch of the candidacy.

In addition, Paes’ re-election is taken for granted in the Rio de Janeiro capital by members of the Liberal Party, which would make Braga Netto’s life difficult if he were a candidate.

Initially, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) was even quoted as a possible candidate, but his name was vetoed by his own father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, in internal party conversations. The assessment of allies is that Flávio’s candidacy would reignite the allegations of “cracks” made against the parliamentarian.

He was accused of practicing the act while occupying a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj). In November 2021, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) filed the complaints for considering that there was a breach of tax and banking secrecy, by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro, without due judicial authorization.

Also according to a parliamentarian from the party, the party aims to elect between 1,000 and 1,300 mayors in the next election. Today, the acronym has 343 municipal managers.

The calculation of the cost of electing a mayor in Rio de Janeiro would also have been included in the account for not launching a candidacy. The cost to elect a candidate in the city would be around R$ 10 million, money that the party wants to reinforce in other candidates in the South and Southeast.

In addition to Paes, federal deputies Dr. Luizinho (PP) and Tarcísio Motta (Psol) should also compete in the election.

PL affiliates Marcelo Queiroga and André Fernandes

On Wednesday (14), the party announced that it will launch former Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello to the City Hall of João Pessoa. The decision was announced after a meeting with the national summit of the acronym, in Brasília. The former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and the national president of the PL, Valdemar Costa Neto, participated in the meeting.

On social media, Costa Neto praised the doctor from Paraíba. “His entry into the party will certainly be an excellent gain for the entire Brazilian population, especially for those who live in João Pessoa. We count on your dedication and prestige so that our flags gain even more strength for the progress of our nation”, he said, on Instagram.

The caption will also launch federal deputy André Fernandes (PL) as a candidate for Mayor of Fortaleza. The acronym should also hold a meeting in the capital of Ceará for the official launch of the pre-candidacy of the federal deputy.

The report tried to contact the Liberal Party, but received no response.