Tebet Sets March 30 Exit to Run as Marina Silva Weighs São Paulo Senate Bid

Overview

• Planning Minister Simone Tebet confirmed she will leave the cabinet by March 30 to run in 2026 and said her talks with President Lula have so far addressed only a Senate bid, with a further decision expected before Carnival.
• Tebet dismissed a run for governor of São Paulo, left open whether she will compete from São Paulo or Mato Grosso do Sul, and pointed to Fernando Haddad and Geraldo Alckmin as strong names for the state race.
• Environment Minister Marina Silva said she is disposed to build a Senate candidacy in São Paulo, is considering leaving Rede, and has held initial talks with PT president Edinho Silva as well as PSOL, PSB and PV.
• PT interlocutors report the party is testing Tebet’s viability and weighing ticket configurations in São Paulo that could feature both Tebet and Marina for the state’s two Senate seats.
• Brazilian electoral rules require ministers to resign six months before the vote, with April 4 cited as the cutoff, and O Globo reported Tebet agreed with Lula to transfer her electoral domicile to São Paulo to pursue a Senate seat, a step she has not confirmed publicly.