Aécio Neves pulls out of Brazil's 2026 presidential race, PSDB to field no candidate

Deputy federal Aécio Neves, national president of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), announced that he will not run for the presidency in the 2026 elections. In an interview with O Estado de S. Paulo, he said the party will not nominate any candidate for the Planalto and will remain neutral in a possible second‑round contest between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Neves warned that “we are about to watch the most fratricidal election in recent Brazilian history.”

The decision follows recent polls showing Neves with only about 2 % support and high rejection rates, underscoring the party’s assessment that there is “no space now for a centrist construction.” PSDB, which has presented a presidential candidate in every election since Brazil’s redemocratization, will instead focus on internal reorganization, expanding its congressional bench and preparing a platform for the 2030 elections. Neves left open the possibility of running for the Senate in Minas Gerais.

The withdrawal marks a significant shift in Brazil’s political landscape, removing a traditional centre‑right contender from the race and potentially reshaping alliances ahead of the October vote.