Augusto Cury sees surge in popularity following presidential debate

Augusto Cury, a psychiatrist and author running for the 2026 Brazilian presidency under the Avante party, has seen a significant surge in digital engagement following a recent presidential debate on TV Bandeirantes. Cury has gained millions of new followers on Instagram and experienced a massive spike in Google searches, positioning himself as a candidate seeking to bridge the country's political polarization.

Cury describes his political identity as "center," utilizing the term “capissocial” to describe a platform that combines capitalist economic principles—such as fiscal responsibility, entrepreneurship, and reduced state intervention—with a strong focus on social welfare, mental health, and protecting vulnerable populations. He has explicitly rejected the traditional left-right dichotomy, criticizing the radicalization of the current political landscape.

His campaign has experienced organic growth on social media, with influencers sharing his content, reaching millions of views. Despite his recent rise in online interest, recent polling places him at approximately 2% of voter intention. Cury, who has a declared net worth of approximately R$ 242 million, is running with Júlio Delgado as his vice-presidential candidate.