Ciro Gomes skips Flávio Bolsonaro rally in Fortaleza, preserving alliance strategy

Ciro Gomes, the PSDB pre‑candidate for governor of Ceará, announced he will not attend the event held by Flávio Bolsonaro of the PL in Fortaleza on Friday. The decision was presented by his team as a matter of party affiliation, noting that the gathering is organized by the PL.

The move reflects the delicate PSDB‑PL pact designed to challenge PT incumbent governor Elmano de Freitas. Under the agreement, Bolsonaro supporters will back Ciro's gubernatorial bid, while the PSDB will support PL senator‑candidate Alcides Fernandes. Both sides are avoiding a joint public appearance to limit political costs and keep their campaign agendas separate. The avoidance also follows earlier tensions between Flávio Bolsonaro and former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro over the inclusion of PSDB figures in senatorial nominations. Overall, Ciro is maintaining distance from the national Bolsonaro movement while seeking to broaden his electorate beyond the right.