In the Brazilian presidential race, the choice of vice president has ceased to be a supporting role to gain strategic importance. These names carry specific missions: conquering new electorates, shielding political weaknesses, and stitching together regional and institutional support. Experts consulted by CBN point out that vice presidents clearly expose the tactic that each candidacy adopted to win over voters.
Marketing consultant Alberto Lage explained that the function of a vice presidential candidate goes far beyond winning votes. According to him, the number one rule is not to get in the way, the number two rule is to help form the party coalition, and, finally, vice presidents can be used to soften or counteract image problems of the titular candidate.
In seeking re-election, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from PT, bets on maintaining a formula that worked previously. His vice, Geraldo Alckmin, from PSB, has a history of acting on the right and was affiliated with the PSDB for more than three decades. He was chosen to join the ticket precisely to balance the ideological profile of the titular candidate.
