Ronaldo Caiado's PSD Convention Set for July 26 to Launch 2026 Presidential Bid

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has scheduled its national convention for 26 July in São Paulo, where former Goiás governor Ronaldo Caiado will officially launch his candidacy for the Brazilian presidency in the 2026 election. The party has yet to name a vice‑presidential running mate, keeping the decision secret to maximize media impact amid the World Cup coverage. Internal debate centres on whether party president Gilberto Kassab will be tapped, with some members favouring a broader alliance instead.

Other pre‑candidates are also active. Novo party nominee Romeu Zema, former Minas Gerais governor, used a CNI event in Brasília to propose stricter Bolsa Família rules for men, linking benefit receipt to completion of basic education and technical training. He also called for a “shock against waste,” fiscal tightening, pension reform, administrative overhaul, privatisation of state firms and a flexible hourly‑work regime to replace the CLT.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) will hold his own convention on 25 July, while the Workers’ Party plans to confirm President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re‑election bid on 1 August. The CNI president Ricardo Alban said a letter of industry proposals will be delivered to all pre‑candidates, urging macro‑economic stability, productivity‑driven growth and reduction of Brazil’s “cost of doing business.”