Ronaldo Caiado names Gilberto Kassab as vice‑presidential candidate

On 1 July 2026, Ronaldo Caiado, the pre‑candidate of Brazil’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) for the presidential election, officially announced Gilberto Kassab, the party’s national president, as his running mate. The declaration was made at a press conference in the PSD headquarters in Brasília, forming a “pure‑blood” PSD ticket.

Caiado said the choice does not close the door to future alliances, but stresses that a unified PSD slate will aid governance and help attract independent voters. He asserted that the duo could defeat President Luiz Inácio Lula in a second‑round scenario, stating, “If we reach the second round, we will have the independent votes and will defeat Lula.” He also warned that a second‑round face‑off between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula would favor the PT, saying, “If Flávio reaches the second round, that is everything Lula wants.”

Kassab, who will retain his role as PSD president, pledged to help restructure the Republic, remarking, “We have conviction that the Republic is rotten, the powers are contaminated by inefficiency.” The announcement comes as Caiado polls at roughly 3‑5 % nationally, far behind Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, highlighting the PSD’s struggle to secure broader party alliances ahead of the October election.