Eduardo Leite Joins PSD After 24 Years in PSDB, Eyes 2026 Presidential Run or Senate

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Updated May 10, 2025, 01:03 AM

Eduardo Leite, the Governor of Rio Grande do Sul, has officially left the PSDB after 24 years and joined the PSD, marking a significant shift in Brazilian politics. The move was formalized in a ceremony in São Paulo, attended by key PSD figures including party president Gilberto Kassab and federal deputy Antonio Brito. Leite's departure from the PSDB comes amidst internal turmoil within the party, which is currently negotiating a merger with the Podemos party. Leite's decision to join the PSD is driven by his ambition to lead a national project, potentially aiming for a presidential candidacy in 2026. He expressed readiness to contribute to the PSD for the long term and emphasized the need for a project to overcome political polarization in Brazil. However, Leite clarified that he respects fellow PSD member and potential presidential candidate Ratinho Jr. from Paraná, and would not seek to compete against him within the party. Leite also mentioned the possibility of running for the Senate if he does not pursue the presidency. The PSDB has been significantly weakened by Leite's exit, reducing the party to only one governor, Eduardo Riedel of Mato Grosso do Sul, who is also being courted by the PSD and PL. The PSD, with Leite's addition, now matches the PT and União Brasil with four state governors, including Fábio Mitidieri from Sergipe, Ratinho Jr. from Paraná, and Raquel Lyra from Pernambuco. This move signals the PSD's growing influence in Brazilian politics, while Leite has expressed openness to supporting Tarcísio de Freitas from the Republicans for the presidency if the PSD decides not to field its own candidate.

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Sources

cnnbrasil.com.br(6)oglobo.globo.com(4)jovempan.com.br(3)metropoles.com(2)

Metrópoles

@Metropoles

➡️ Aécio Neves speaks out after Eduardo Leite leaves the PSDB Governor of Rio Grande do Sul left the PSDB after 24 years of membership and affirms that he wishes to lead a “national project” for the PSD Read: https://t.co/fxjSjz02pM https://t.co/RnlyUYcl13

Portal R7.com

@portalR7

After 24 years, Eduardo Leite leaves the PSDB and joins the PSD #PortalR7 #R7 https://t.co/CmeCjBtvtG

Metrópoles

@Metropoles

➡️ “I'm not part of the Lula government”, says Kassab in affiliation with Eduardo Leite PSD president says that the party wants its own presidential candidate in 2026, but that supporting Tarcísio would be “natural” Read: https://t.co/rG9SnNDV9f https://t.co/UU5TQgfw9V