Understand why Ronaldo Cayado needs a political rather than a technical secretariat.

Goiás governor Ronaldo Caiado of União Brasil’s next command should be more political than technical. This is sometimes confusing. Therefore, it is urgent to clarify: the assumption that it will be more political does not mean that it will not be technical as well. In other words, what will be done is the use of politics to improve the technical quality of government. The goal is to make governance more proactive, efficient – with faster and more tangible results for society.

A government with more experienced assistants – such as Wilmar Rocha (in the Civic Chamber), Alexandre Baldi (in the Ministry of Industry and Trade) and Enrique Meirelles (minister of the economy) – would release, at least in part, the governor to coordinate policy.

Ronaldo Cayado suggests he has presidential ambitions and there is room for a manager and politician from Goiás. Because, in addition to being a competent administrator—he rebuilt Goiás’s finances through austerity but never stopped investing, especially in social and infrastructure—he is also a born politician with a rare ability to articulate.

In 2026, at the end of Lula da Silva’s rule – regardless of whether the leader of the PT runs for re-election or not – the country’s politics will become completely open. There are names that can present themselves for controversy, such as Tarcisio de Freitas, from the Republicans, Eduardo Leite, from PSDB, Guilherme Boulos (the image of the radical left harms him), from Psol and Jair Bolsonaro himself, from pl. However, as a representative of a modern and civilized centre-right who invests in social and economic growth without separating them, Ronaldo Caiado could be the main bet against the image of the barbaric and brutal right. Physician trained in Rio de Janeiro, specializing in orthopedics in France under Louis Pasteur, federal government deputy for several terms, senator for one term (remained for four years) and now governor (to continue for a second term), political manager since Extensive experience.

Ronaldo Caiado could become an alternative to the centrists and the right, absorbing an electorate that, strictly speaking, Bolsonaro did not know how to win. Above all, however, the leader of União Brasil – today the country’s most vocal party re-elected as governor – needs a bolder second term (more expansions than adjustments) that will grab attention. , from Brazil to Goiás.

To this end, Ronaldo Cayado plans to implement a broad social program with the possibility of eradicating hunger in Goiás. But not only that. The governor plans and is already partially implementing the deep social integration of the poor into society (they are marginal throughout the country). Of course it’s hard to do egalitarian revolution in one state, but it’s not impossible.

Given his moral authority and his notion that the state should serve the public and not the privileged, Ronaldo Caiado is in a position to change the social configuration of Goiás. And it is curious that he is a liberal – let’s say, an adept of social liberalism, the very one that the philosopher and sociologist José Guilherme Mercior argued about and would have suggested to Fernando Collor (who, of course, did not understand the proposal).

However, it is not enough to draw Brazil’s attention to Goiás with concrete results. The governor should travel around the country, talking about his ideas and, above all, about his achievements – apart from theory – in order to activate national public opinion.

However, he can only be out for a short time if he has a well lubricated team both politically and technically. Therefore, it will definitely create a more experienced and autonomous secretariat. Consequently, the government will not be as centralized as the first (because it needed to tune the machine to make it efficient and restore its investment power). It will be a more open, decentralized government with more shared responsibilities.

See the case of Wilmar Roche. In the Civil Chamber, he will be able to manage the political and administrative machine in a balanced and balanced way, as he likes. But not only. There is another little-known Wilmar Rocha. This is the national articulator. In the SDP, he is seen as the party’s national “adviser” – with dialogue in several states. In São Paulo, for example, he has two first-class interlocutors – Gilberto Cassab, the national president of the SDP, and Guilherme Afif Domingos, also from the SDP. The two are connected to the elected governor of São Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas (whose vice belongs to the SDP). And Kassab is one of the privileged interlocutors of President-elect Lula da Silva of the PT.

In Brasilia, because of his several mandates as a federal deputy, friends joke that even chairs and tables “know” and “welcome” him. In other words, Wilmar Rocha is a politician who, in addition to opening doors, knows how important it is not to break down doors.

Thus, Wilmar Rocha can act in support of Ronaldo Caiado from two sides: at the local and national levels. And besides, he is an ideological politician – another liberal who, like the governor, relies on the social. And he is a decent politician.

Alexandre Baldi is another politician who, even without a mandate, wields political power at the local and national levels. He is extremely connected to Centrão, which, whether purists like it or not, will continue to rule Brazilian politics. The 42-year-old resident of the state of Goiás has an amazing political experience – so much so that he talks to Minister Ciro Nogueira (PR) and President of the Chamber of Deputies Arthur Lira (PR) at any time. The former deputy and former minister is a well-connected politician with a strong national presence. So, like Wilmar Rocha, he can act in support of Ronaldo Caiado in Goiás and across the country.

Running for the presidency of the republic in 2026, when he turns 77, is one of the projects of Ronaldo Cayado. He will work to position himself at the national level to be appreciated by the Brazilians. However, if the project is not implemented, depending on the situation in the country – there is a possibility that Jair Bolsonaro will run for president again in 2026, which may activate the right-wing electorate – the state manager can compete for one of the senatorial seats (there will be two places available). contested in the next election).

Finally, it is worth emphasizing that Ronaldo Cayado, as a skilled politician – and his abilities are not always properly perceived by the local press – is already rebuilding his political base soon after the end of the elections, including with the involvement of opponents. Because he knows that the presidential candidate starts the race in his own house, winning a wide base of support. In short, he is a political aggregator.

As for the coaches, Ronaldo Cayado has great respect for them. Because he knows that, strictly speaking, no one governs without his help (the success of his first government is largely due to the hard work, competence and responsibility of technical specialists such as Pedro Sales, Adriano Rocha Lima, Fatima Gavioli and Christiana Schmidt). . He hints with his caution that in order to run for president, he needs to strengthen his political alliances. But it is obvious that he will not turn his government into a huge political “party”.