Criticism and internal disputes cause super federation between PP and União Brasil to suffer dissolution before formalization

The federation, announced by party leader Ciro Nogueira (PP) and Antonio Rueda (Parti União), has faced internal resistance and public criticism from leaders such as Governor Ronaldo Caiado (Parti União). For this group, the project has been credited with increasing local conflicts and accelerating withdrawal.

Leaders of both parties acknowledge the difficulties, but believe that once the two major parties come together, defections and disbandments are natural, and that new leaders will be drawn to both parties.

In a coalition, each party must maintain the same position in local, state, and presidential elections for at least four years. In return, they cooperate with party and campaign finance, propaganda time and parliamentary benches, making them an influential and decisive group in the country’s major electoral disputes.

The request to formalize the partnership is at an early stage and TSE does not yet have a clear reporter. For it to take effect in 2026, the federation must receive court approval at least six months before the elections, i.e. by April 4 next year. Party leaders believe that approval will be granted by then.

Despite regional disputes, national leaders of both parties say the federation is certain to happen and that the alliance between the federation and the PP is beneficial for both parties. But there is conflict.

— This federalization attempt has led to loss of representation and internal conflict in most states. It is still in the engagement stage and will need to be resurfaced without approval. The most prudent thing to do, Kaiad said, is to rethink the process and maintain alliances while respecting each state’s unique characteristics.

One of the most symbolic disagreements occurred in the state of Paraná, where two of the main names in the ruralist caucus defected from the bloc. Vice-President Pedro Lupion, head of the Congressional Agriculture Front, left the PP and joined the Republican Party with the support of Governor Tarcisio de Freitas (R-SP). Congressman Felipe Francischini will also have to leave União and move to Podemos. The party is undergoing restructuring under his leadership and will have to join the group of Governor Ratinho Junior (PSD) in the 2026 state conflict.

This departure from the party comes as Sen. Sergio Moro (Unian, PR) strengthens his influence within the party. He received approval from the party’s national leadership for his intervention in the state list of Paraná, which is no longer the property of Francischini and is under his command.

Moro is a primary candidate in the gubernatorial race and is leading in opinion polls. Meanwhile, Mr. Francischini and Mr. Lupion are allies of Mr. Lacinho, who has not yet decided who he will support as his successor. PSD names tend to become rivals. The PP, the parent organization of Mr. Ratinho, has opposed the former judge’s preliminary candidacy.

There is not necessarily friction between the two parties, but in addition to internal power struggles, there are also disagreements over the League’s leadership in the largest electoral college. One example is Rio, where the national scenario for each party has not been determined, as the president of the state parliament, Rodrigo Bachelal (Brazilian Unity), was unable to gain the support of opposition parties to become his candidate, as the mayor of the capital, Eduardo Páez (PSD), is likely to become governor.

Rio’s União directory, chaired by Mr. Bacellar himself, is central to several internal divisions that house both those wishing to run against Mr. Páez and those negotiating support for the mayor. The party in the state is also under the strong influence of the party’s national leadership. Union president Antonio Rueda is also the party’s deputy leader in Rio and is running as a federal candidate for the state.

Meanwhile, the PP in Rio state is becoming more cohesive internally, but its direction in the state elections has not yet been determined. The list’s president is Doutor Luisinho, deputy leader of the chamber, who is in frank dialogue not only with Paes but also with the Bolsonarians who are seeking to run for mayor.

In São Paulo, more rival groups are drawn into the impasse. Milton Leite (Unian), former president of the capital city council and current party national vice president, is claiming the position of state president of the bloc. Vice President Mauricio Neves (PP-SP), president of the PP’s São Paulo executive committee, also claims to have support to lead the organization.

ACM Neto, former Salvadoran mayor and vice president of the federation, rejects the hypothesis that the federation will never materialize.

–The debate about the Federation is an outdated fact. It’s up to us to assess how we can strengthen our projects for 2026 across Brazil. There is no possibility of overturning this decision.

Despite the division, Senate PP leader Tereza Cristina (MS) shares a similar assessment.

— It took a long time for the Federation to be established and announced. It has not yet been approved by the TSE, but we are in the process of getting it approved. The Federation is here to stay. While it is not approved (not formalized), it is possible, but I think it will be difficult. These are adjustments that will be made throughout the period until the definition is determined.

Members involved in the federation’s negotiations acknowledge that there were delays in sending documents to the TSE, but insist that this was caused by bureaucratic problems in verifying signatures, and that the only remaining step is electoral court approval to get the federation back on track. In addition to court approval, federations must meet a series of formal requirements. These include unifying the constitution, allocating funds from the party’s coffers, and defining command in 27 states.

The Acronym Summit sees confusion in terms of electoral disputes. For example, Kaiado’s dissatisfaction could be explained by the governor’s intention to run for president at all costs. This becomes even more difficult with acronym federations. It is hoped that the governor, who has long had close ties with the trade union leadership, will be able to reach an agreement with party members and convince them not to seek to leave the party and instead accept a coalition with the PP.

Another lawmaker who does not agree with the federation is Deputy Kim Katagiri (Unian SP), who plans to leave the party and join Missaoun. He is one of the organizers and one of the founders of the party.

–I already thought that the merger with PSL was a failure for the same reason. It ceases to be an ideological party with an identity and historical framework, and becomes a general party with chaotic leadership.

Let’s take a look at some of the states where the conflict is occurring.

State of Paraná: Two of the key figures in the ruralist group left the alliance. Pedro Lupion left the PP and joined the Republican Party with the support of Tarcisio de Freitas. Deputy Prime Minister Felipe Francischini should also leave União and move to Podemos. The background is that Sergio Moro was there before he ran for state government.

Rio de Janeiro: The state’s union directory is home to several internal divisions, housing both those who want to take on Eduardo Paez and those negotiating support for the mayor. Rio’s PP is becoming increasingly cohesive, but it has not yet decided on its direction in the state elections.

São Paulo: Milton Leite (Unian), former president of the capital city council and current national vice president of the party, claims national command of the block. Congressman Mauricio Neves, the PP’s São Paulo executive chairman, also claims he has the support to lead the organization.

Paraiba: Vice-President Mercinho Lucena (PP) is considering leaving the party. His father, João Pessoa Mayor Cicero Lucena, has already joined the MDB, further widening the internal divisions. In another sign of attack, the PP intends to field Deputy Governor Lucas Ribeiro, while Sen. Ephraim Filho (Unian) wants to be the gubernatorial candidate.