Brazilian Labor Party endorses Rousseff’s rival Neves

The Brazilian Labor Party (“PTB”) confirmed on Friday (Jun 27) during its national convention in Salvador their support to presidential candidate Aécio Neves, from the opposition “PSDB”, the Brazilian Social Democracy Party. PTB had taken part in the coalition with President Dilma Rousseff and her Workers’ Party (“PT”).

PTB’s board of director have issued a note stating that “the decision answers the call of most federal representatives,” and also the federal units where local conflicts between PTB and PT became unbearable. That is the case with the Federal District, Roraima, Piauí and Rio de Janeiro.

“We’re sure that Aécio [Neves] presents all the conditions for the recovery of economic growth, with the maintenance of the social achievements now incorporated to national life,” the note reads.

The decision, however, was not met with consensus among PTB members, as some argue for maintaining the support given to Rousseff, like Senators Armando Monteiro, running for governor in Pernambuco, and Fernando Collor, representing Alagoas.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira