Eduardo Paes' praise for Governor Ratinho Jr.

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD) praised Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior (PSD), saying the country would be "much better off" if Ratinho were president. The statement was made this Friday, the 25th, during a lunch with Rio business leaders.

Paes, an ally of President Lula (Workers' Party) , also stated that if he officially announces his candidacy for governor of Rio de Janeiro , he will model his work on Ratinho's performance in Paraná. "My campaign promise would be this: if I were a candidate, I want to be in Rio de Janeiro what Ratinho was in Paraná," he continued.

Without mentioning Lula, Paes said that Brazil is experiencing a moment of polarization that hinders the country's progress and that "politics is the art of building consensus from dissent."

"We need to establish consensus and a shared agenda with Brazil. It's very difficult for a country to move forward if people treat adversaries as enemies and don't respect the opinions of others," the mayor stated.

A potential presidential candidate, Ratinho has had his name tested in electoral scenarios for 2026. The PSD member, however, has not yet attracted attention and is considered a name with low national projection.