Aécio Neves Backed by Cidadania as PSDB Federation Pre‑Presidential Candidate

Brazil's Cidadania party approved by unanimous vote that deputy Aécio Neves will be the pre‑candidate for the presidency under the PSDB/Cidadania federation for the 2026 election. The meeting was led by party president and federation vice‑president Alex Manente, who described Neves as a “third‑way” alternative able to overcome national polarization and to promote fiscal responsibility, institutional strengthening and sustainable growth.

The endorsement comes as the federation seeks a competitive name beyond the traditional political poles and amid growing scrutiny of rival pre‑candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Neves, who previously ran for president in 2014 and lost to Dilma Rousseff, reassumed the PSDB national presidency in 2025 and had been considering a Senate bid in Minas Gerais before being positioned as the federation’s presidential option.