Paulo Rabello announced as presidential hopeful under PSC

Attended by slightly more than 50 members, the Social Christian Party (PSC) unanimously confirmed the presidential candidacy of economist Paulo Rabello de Castro. The nomination was made during the party’s national convention, on Friday (Jul. 20), in Brasília.

Still with no running mate chosen, Rabello said it would be nice to have a woman in the ticket, but nothing is being discussed in this connection, adding that a name for the running rate is being considered by other parties and must be unveiled by August 5.

Paulo Rabello de Castro - Antonio Cruz/Agência Brasil

Proposals

Onetime head of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), Rabello is joining the race for an electoral post for the first time.

In his address, he pledged to leave his post along with his vice-president if he fails to get the population’s approval two years after he is elected. He also promised to bring the country’s primary surplus to zero in the first year of his administration, forgoing his own salary as president until he meets this goal.

Paulo Rabello also argued for a “wholesale revision of the Federal Constitution,” dismissing the formation of a constituent assembly as unnecessary. A champion of the “traditional Brazilian family,” the candidate devised a 20-goal program to triple investment in infrastructure.

PSC’s presidential hopeful also stressed he would retain initiatives like the Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer, adding that he plans to free Brazilians of the need for such forms of assistance through the creation of 1 million jobs, with the help from job training centers.

Alliances

When asked about alliances, PSC head Pastor Everaldo said that, if he does not find another party with proposals quite in keeping with his, he may once again name a running mate from the PSC itself.