The search for viable centrist candidates.
As the unpopular President Michel Temer moves towards his last months in office, his centre-right coalition is seeking a viable option to remain in power. His Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) does not have a natural candidate, and corruption scandals taint likely figures in the Social Democrat Party (PSDB). Presenting an outsider to retain office would be the best choice for the government's allies, but the most likely contender, TV presenter Luciano Huck, has said he does not intend to be a candidate.
Huck’s reluctance to run leaves the centre without a candidate with a strong appeal to low-income voters.
Cardoso's unofficial support for Huck suggests little PSDB unity around its likely candidate, Governor Geraldo Alckmin.
Tepid PSDB support and the prospect of possible corruption claims could again scupper Alckmin’s ambitions.
