Fernando Haddad reshapes São Paulo campaign amid vice‑candidate controversy and policy push

Fernando Haddad, the Workers' Party (PT) candidate for governor of São Paulo, has faced criticism of the vice‑presidential pick made by rival senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Haddad called the selection of deputy Alfredo Gaspar (PL‑AL) “one of the worst choices imaginable,” questioning Gaspar’s qualifications compared with seasoned politicians such as Vice‑President Geraldo Alckmin.

Haddad also urged transparency in investigations involving President Luiz Inácio Lula’s son, Fábio Luís Lula da Silva (Lulinha), describing the probes as matters of public interest. In parallel, his campaign outlined a government plan that adapts policies from Brazil’s federal administration and from European models in Spain and Portugal, focusing on public‑security reforms, women’s safety measures, and technology‑enabled protective orders.

During August, Haddad shifted his social‑media strategy, reducing direct attacks on Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and highlighting his own record as São Paulo mayor and former finance minister, while promoting the upcoming rollout of his policy proposals.