The party’s state branches and politicians can back Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or Flávio Bolsonaro in the presidential second round.
Brazil’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) will not issue a unified endorsement ahead of the presidential runoff. National party chairman Gilberto Kassab announced neutrality on October 4, allowing state branches, lawmakers, party leaders and members to choose whether to support Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or Flávio Bolsonaro.
The decision came after PSD candidate Ronaldo Caiado finished fifth in the first round. Caiado said after the vote that he would speak with Kassab before deciding his position in the runoff. Kassab praised Caiado’s campaign in a statement and called his failure to reach the second round a missed opportunity for Brazil.
Kassab said the party was continuing the approach used during the campaign, when state organisations were free to build alliances. He cited the PSD’s legislative results: about 40 federal deputies, two senators and more than 100 state lawmakers elected. Four party candidates won governorships in the first round, while two others will compete in state runoffs.
Kassab also said the party has roughly 1,350 mayors and 7,000 city councillors. The neutrality decision leaves PSD figures free to support either presidential candidate without a single national endorsement.