The national president of the PSD, Gilberto Kassab criticized federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) for defending the 50% tariffs imposed by the United States government on Brazilian products. For the party leader, the stance of Jair Bolsonaro's son is"totally inappropriate" and a "big mistake." Kassab made his assessment during an interview with Canal Livre, on Band, which aired on Sunday night, the 10th.

"I think Eduardo Bolsonaro's biggest mistake has been to stand in solidarity with the tariff hike. This is completely inappropriate for a Brazilian and a federal representative," says Kassab."When he doesn't align himself with those who defend Brazil's interests, it's a huge mistake."

Eduardo has lived in the United States since the beginning of the year and claims to be working with foreign authorities to pressure the Brazilian judiciary and government to overturn the criminal trial in the coup, in which his father is accused of attempting a coup d'état after the 2022 elections.

Kassab also criticized the use of the Magnitsky Act to try to pressure Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes during the trial. For the PSD leader, the sanction is"a very powerful weapon that was not designed for that."

When asked about Bolsonaro's house arrest for failing to comply with precautionary measures, Kassab said he was concerned about triggering further retaliation from the United States. He also mentioned the US embassy's threats to Moraes and his"allies."

Last Thursday, the 7th, the agency replicated a message from the US Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy, Darren Beattie stating that it was"monitoring the situation closely" and left a message for anyone who "supports or facilitates" the judge's conduct."You have been warned," says the post on X (formerly Twitter).

"The US Secretary of State's principal assistant sent a statement through the US embassy in which he makes serious and grave threats. I'm concerned, and I think every Brazilian should be, because a threat was made," Kassab said.

Kassab also mentions that there may be technical justifications for placing an electronic ankle bracelet on the former president as well as for his house arrest, but that the political environment may not be the most suitable for these actions against Bolsonaro at the moment.

"Talking to constitutionalists about the issue, they say there are commas in the Constitution that justify this ankle bracelet, but there are commas in politics - and I speak - that do not justify it," he said in the interview.

The PSD president also commented on the occupation of the Chamber's table by opposition deputies this week ."Occupying the table inappropriately does nothing to improve the poor image of our legislature. This is creating a distance from society, from politics, which is very bad," he criticized.

2026 Elections

The PSD leader spoke in the interview about the electoral scenarios for next year. Kassab assesses that São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) is a possible, and only, center-right candidate in the 2026 presidential election.

In the view of the former minister and Secretary of Government and Institutional Relations of the State of São Paulo, Tarcísio could be a pre-candidate if there is a politically favorable scenario .

"Tarcísio is highly regarded in São Paulo. He's ruling out a potential reelection bid because of the highly favorable situation for him to be elected president of the Republic and also because of a very vocal call from Brazilian leaders in the political, business, and cultural fields," he said.

"This is happening, and this movement is there; he will be practically the only center-right candidate. He won't run as a pre-candidate in a situation where there are many doubts about his election," he added.

The governors of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, Ratinho Jr. and Eduardo Leite , respectively, were also cited by Kassab as options for politicians representing the PSD in the presidential race, but he stated that “there will be no problem in forming a coalition with Tarcísio, if he understands that the best thing for Brazil is his candidacy”.