Minister Gleisi Hoffmann (PT), the leading figure of the Workers’ Party in Paraná, met on Saturday morning (14) with state representative Renato Freitas (PT). The conversation takes place amid Renato’s negotiations to switch to PSOL.
Gleisi is said to have reinforced the interest in keeping Renato in the PT and, moreover, the party’s willingness to defend the lawmaker before the Ethics Council of the Paraná Legislative Assembly. Renato faces a disciplinary proceeding for having been filmed in a street fight at the end of last year, and he risks losing his seat and becoming ineligible to run for office.
Rogerio Galindo
Plural published on Friday (13) a report that Renato is expected to transfer to PSOL even before the October elections. The lawmaker denies that he has closed a deal with the party, but the report found that the switch is practically decided and could be announced in the coming days. Under electoral law, the representative has until April 4 to be in the party with which he will run in this year’s election.
A pre-candidate for federal deputy, Renato Freitas is seen as one of the possible top vote-getters from Paraná in 2026. After a term as a city councilor in Curitiba and a term as a state representative, Renato managed to attract the admiration of the more left-leaning electorate, due to his anti-racist activism and his confrontation with Bolsonarism.
For the PT, it would be strategic for Renato to remain in the party. The party’s national president himself, Edinho, spoke with the Paraná native this week. However, Renato has never been an “organic” PT member and seems to feel closer to PSOL, where he began his political career.
