Geraldo Alckmin

In this Portuguese name, "Filho" is a generational suffix meaning "son", which is used for someone whose name is the same as their father, like "Jr." in English.

Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒeˈɾawdu ˈawkmĩ]; born 7 November 1952) is a Brazilian physician and politician currently serving as 26th vice president of Brazil. He previously was the Governor of São Paulo for two nonconsecutive terms, the longest serving since democratization, 2001 to 2006 and 2011 to 2018.^[1][2]

His Excellency Geraldo Alckmin
Alckmin in 2024
Vice President of Brazil
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 January 2023
President	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Preceded by	Hamilton Mourão
Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 January 2023
President	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Preceded by	Marcos Jorge de Lima
State offices 1973–2018 Governor of São Paulo In office 1 January 2011 – 6 April 2018 Lieutenant Afif Domingos (2011–2014) Márcio França (2015–2018) Preceded by Alberto Goldman Succeeded by Márcio França In office 6 March 2001 – 30 March 2006 Acting: 22 January 2001 – 6 March 2001 Vice Governor None (2001–2002) Cláudio Lembo (2003–2006) Preceded by Mário Covas Succeeded by Cláudio Lembo Secretary of Development of São Paulo In office 19 January 2009 – 1 April 2010 Governor José Serra Preceded by Alberto Goldman Succeeded by Luciano Almeida Lieutenant Governor of São Paulo In office 1 January 1995 – 6 March 2001 Governor Mário Covas Preceded by Aloysio Nunes Succeeded by Cláudio Lembo Member of the Chamber of Deputies In office 1 February 1987 – 31 December 1994 Constituency São Paulo State Deputy of São Paulo In office 15 March 1983 – 1 February 1987 Constituency At-large Mayor of Pindamonhangaba In office 31 January 1977 – 15 May 1982 Deputy Thiers Fernandes Lobo Preceded by João Bosco Nogueira Succeeded by Thiers Fernandes Lobo Councillor of Pindamonhangaba In office 1 January 1973 – 31 December 1976 Constituency At-large
Personal details
Born	Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho (1952-11-07) 7 November 1952 (age 72) Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Political party	PSB (since 2022)
Other political affiliations	MDB (1972–1980) PMDB (1980–1988) PSDB (1988–2021) Independent (2021–2022)
Spouse	Maria Lúcia Ribeiro ​ (m. 1979)​
Children	3
Relatives	José Maria Alkmin (great-uncle) José Eduardo Alckmin (cousin)
Residence	Palácio do Jaburu
Alma mater	University of Taubaté (BM)
Signature
Website	Official website

Before entering politics, Alckmin attended the Universidade de Taubaté's medical school, specializing in anesthesiology, going on to work in the São Paulo Public Service Hospital. Alckmin was elected mayor of his hometown Pindamonhangaba in 1982, becoming a founder of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) in 1988. Alckmin first became governor of São Paulo in 2001 after the death of Mário Covas.

Alckmin was a candidate for President of Brazil in 2006 for the PSDB, losing to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the second round. Alckmin again ran for president for the PSDB in 2018, but placed fourth, not advancing to the second round.^[3]

Alckmin joined the Brazilian Socialist Party in 2022 to be the running mate of Lula da Silva in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election. After the ticket's victory, Alckmin became vice-president. Alckmin is usually described by political analysts and supporters as a pro-business centrist, closely associated with the political and financial establishment.^[4][5][6]

Biography

Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho was born in the city of Pindamonhangaba, Vale do Paraíba. Alckmin is the son of Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin and Míriam Penteado. According to Época magazine, Geraldo received a Christian formation from the Opus Dei Catholic prelature, and told the magazine that his uncle José Geraldo was from Opus Dei.^[7]

The Alckmin family has a history in politics, most notably Rodrigues Alckmin, a minister of the Supreme Federal Court, and José Maria Alkmin, vice-president in the Castelo Branco administration.^[8]

Geraldo is married to Maria Lúcia Ribeiro Alckmin and is the father of three children. Sophia, Geraldo and Thomaz.^[9] Thomaz died in a helicopter accident on 2 April 2015.^[10]

Early political career

Alckmin at the World Economic Forum Latin America in 2011

While still in his first year of medical school, Alckmin began his political career in 1972 when he was elected to the Pindamonhangaba city council (1973–1977), and then its mayor (1977–1982). At age 25, he was the youngest Brazilian mayor. He was elected a federal deputy for two terms, (1983–1987 and 1987–1994), distinguishing himself by authoring consumer protection laws. In 1988, he was one of the founders of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB).

First term as São Paulo governor

He was elected vice governor of São Paulo, Mário Covas's running-mate first in the 1994 election and then again in 1998. With the death of Covas, he assumed the governorship of the state of São Paulo in March 2001, he continued Covas' policies, investing in large, state-run projects, health and education programs. All of these investments were possible through privatization programs that sold off public and state-owned companies.

He was elected governor on 27 October 2002, through a runoff election, for the 2003–2006 term, with 12 million votes (or 58.64%). His current administration was marked by a reduction in the state payroll from 49% to 46% of the state's budget, the unification of purchasing systems and other "smart spending" initiatives, as well as the implementation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

2006 presidential election

Main article: 2006 Brazilian general election

Alckmin and his family during the 2006 presidential campaign

On 14 March 2006, PSDB nominated Alckmin as its candidate for president in the 2006 elections. Because of electoral rules, no candidate running for office may currently be in an executive office, forcing him to resign the governorship on 31 March 2006. Cláudio Lembo, the lieutenant governor, finished Alckmin's term. Alckmin's party mate, José Serra, the PSDB's presidential standard-bearer who lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2002, then announced his candidacy to replace Alckmin in the 2006 state elections. Serra won the vote in Brazil's first round elections on 1 October 2006 and was elected as the governor of São Paulo.

Contrary to all major polls taken in the run-up to the 1 October 2006 balloting, Alckmin surprised almost everyone and came in second place in the presidential election^{[citation needed]}. His 41.64% of the vote,^[11] along with votes cast for two less significant candidates, as well as ballots that were left blank or spoiled, was enough to deny the simple majority necessary to re-elect incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ("Lula") in the first round. Lula and Alckmin faced one another in a run-off election on 29 October 2006. Alckmin received 39% of the vote, losing to Lula, who received 61% of the vote and was then reelected.

Second term as São Paulo governor

Return to São Paulo

On 19 January 2009, Geraldo was appointed Secretary of Development for the State of São Paulo by then-Governor José Serra.^[12][13]

State elections, 2010

At the PSDB convention held on 13 June 2010, Alckmin was officially named the party's candidate for the São Paulo government.^[14]

Alckmin was elected governor in the first round with 11.5 million votes (50.63%) defeating Senator Aloizio Mercadante (PT) who obtained 8 million votes (35.23%).^[15]

Third term as governor, 2011–2014

Alckmin assumed the government of São Paulo for the third time on 1 January 2011. The inauguration took place during a ceremony held at State Legislative Assembly.^[16]

His administration in 2013 faces strikes in education and health.^[17][18] After the readjustment in the passage of the metropolitan trains and the subway, great manifestations of protests began, that also happened in all Brazil. The readjustment was later suspended by Alckmin and the mayor of São Paulo, Fernando Haddad.^[19]

Alckmin's reelection campaign for 2014 was officialized on 29 June 2014.^[20] In the first round, on 5 October 2014, he was re-elected with 12.2 million votes (57.31%), being the second highest percentage of votes since the redemocratization of Brazil.^[21]

Fourth term as governor, 2015–2018

Alckmin took office for the fourth time as governor of São Paulo on 1 January 2015.^[22]

2018 presidential campaign

Main article: Geraldo Alckmin presidential campaign, 2018

In a convention held on 9 December 2017, Alckmin was elected the PSDB's national president in a 470–3 vote, succeeding Minas Gerais senator Aécio Neves, and announced his pre-candidacy for next year's presidential race.^[23] On the same day, Alckmin spoke negatively of a potential Lula da Silva candidacy, stating that: "After having broken Brazil, Lula says he wants to return to power, that is, he wants to return to the scene of the crime. We will defeat him at the polls. Lula will be condemned at the polls by the biggest recession in history."^[24] On 23 February 2018, after Manaus mayor Arthur Virgílio Neto suspended his campaign, Alckmin became the sole candidate for the party's primary. His candidacy became official on 6 March 2018.^[25]

Since resigning as governor and losing his legal immunity, Alckmin has been the target of a probe by electoral justice authorities for allegations that construction company Odebrecht illegally funneled R$10 million into his 2010 and 2014 campaign. He has denied wrongdoing, saying the funds were of "electoral nature" and that the allegation "does not proceed".^[26]

In early May 2018, Alckmin announced his campaign communications team, which is headed by Luis Felipe d'Avila with Lula Guimarães as marketing director.^[27] Later that month, he announced his economic advisorial team, which includes Plano Real economists Edmar Bacha and Persio Arida.^[28] In late July, Alckmin negotiated a coalition with the "centrão" (big centre), a group of parties in Congress composed of DEM, PP, PR, PRB and SD.^[29] On 2 August 2018, Rio Grande do Sul senator Ana Amélia Lemos, a member of PP, was confirmed as Alckmin's running mate in the general election.^[30] As the candidate with the largest coalition, Alckmin has secured the longest slot for political ads on free-to-air television channels.^[31] As candidate, Alckmin has proposed a smaller government and reduction of taxes, and has defended the labor reform that took place in the administration of President Michel Temer.^[32]

2022 presidential election

Main article: Lula da Silva 2022 presidential campaign

Alckmin, during the affiliation ceremony to the PSB, March 2022

After his defeat in the 2018 elections, Alckmin considered running again for São Paulo governor in 2022. His former ally, São Paulo governor João Doria, launched his vice governor Rodrigo Garcia as the PSDB's candidate for the role.^[33][34] Alckmin considered staying with the PSDB in the case of Eduardo Leite's victory against Doria in the party's presidential primaries. After Doria's victory in November 2021, Alckmin's departure from the party became inevitable.

On 15 December 2021, Alckmin formally announced his departure from the PSDB.^[35] After his departure, there were speculations that he would join the Social Democratic Party (PSD) if he decided to run for the government of São Paulo in 2022, or the leftist Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) if he decided to run for vice president on former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's ticket in the 2022 presidential elections.^[36]

In March 2022, Alckmin joined PSB to be Lula's running mate in the 2022 presidential election. The two were formerly rivals in the 2006 Brazilian presidential election, where Alckmin, then a PSDB member, was defeated by Lula in the second round.^[4] On 7 May 2022 Alckmin and Lula officialized the Lula-Alckmin ticket,^[37] and on 29 July, he officially affiliated with the PSB and his candidacy for the vice-presidency was officialized.^[38] Alckmin's candidacy as vice-president for his former rival, Lula da Silva, has been seen as an attempt by Lula to form a broad front against the re-election of Jair Bolsonaro.^[39][40]

The Lula-Alckmin ticket won the second round of the 2022 elections, on 30 October, defeating the ticket of incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). Alckmin took the office of Hamilton Mourão (Republicans).^[40]

Vice President of Brazil

Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade

On 22 December 2022, Alckmin was announced as the minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade in the second presidency of Lula da Silva.^[41]

Following the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President of Brazil, Alckmin assumed office as vice president of Brazil on 1 January 2023.^[42]

Electoral history

Year	Election	Party		Office	Coalition	Partners	Party		Votes	Precint	Result	Ref.
1972	Municipal Elections of Pindamonhangaba		MDB	Councillor	None				1,447	10.00%	Elected
1976	Pindamonhangaba Mayoral Election			Mayor	None	Thiers Fernandes Lobo		MDB		23.80%	Elected
1982	State Elections of São Paulo			State Deputy	None				96,232	0.91%	Elected
1986	State Elections of São Paulo		PMDB	Federal Deputy					125,127	0.81%	Elected
1990	State Elections of São Paulo		PSDB	Federal Deputy					55,639	0.32%	Elected
1994	São Paulo Gubernatorial Election			Vice-Governor	Commitment to São Paulo (PSDB, PFL)	Mário Covas		PSDB	6,574,517	46.84%	2º Round
									8,661,960	56.12%	Elected 2º Round
1998	São Paulo Gubernatorial Election			Vice-Governor	São Paulo on the Right Track (PSDB, PTB, PSD)				3,813,186	22.95%	2º Round
									9,800,253	55.37%	Elected 2º Round
2000	São Paulo Mayoral Election			Mayor	Respect for São Paulo (PSDB, PTB, PV, PSD, PRP)	Campos Machado		PTB	952,890	17.26%	Lost 1º Round
2002	São Paulo Gubernatorial Election			Governor	São Paulo in Good Hands (PSDB, PFL, PSD)	Cláudio Lembo		PFL	7,505,486	38.28%	2º Round
									12,008,819	58.64%	Elected 2º Round
2006	Brazilian Presidential Election			President	For a Decent Brazil (PSDB, PFL)	José Jorge		PFL	39,968,369	41.62%	2º Round
									37,543,178	39.17%	Lost 2º Round
2008	São Paulo Mayoral Election			Mayor	São Paulo in the Best Direction (PSDB, PTB, PHS, PSL, PSDC)	Campos Machado		PTB	1,431,670	22.48%	Lost 1º Round
2010	São Paulo Gubernatorial Election			Governor	United by São Paulo (PSDB, DEM, PMDB, PPS, PSC, PHS, PMN)	Afif Domingos		DEM	11,519,314	50.63%	Elected 1º Round
2014	São Paulo Gubernatorial Election			Governor	This is São Paulo (PSDB, PSB, DEM, PRB, Solidarity, PPS, PSC, PSL, PEN, PMN, PSDC, PTC, PTN, PTdoB)	Márcio França		PSB	12,230,807	57.31%	Elected 1º Round
2018	Brazilian Presidential Election			President	To Unite Brazil (PSDB, PP, PTB, PSD, PRB, PR, DEM, Solidarity, PPS)	Ana Amélia		PP	5,096,277	4.76%	Lost 1º Round
2022	Brazilian Presidential Election		PSB	Vice-President	Brazil of Hope (Brazil of Hope (PT, PCdoB, PV), PSOL-REDE Federation (PSOL, REDE), PSB, Solidarity, Avante, Act, PROS)	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva		PT	57,259,504	48.43%	2º Round
									60,345,999	50.90%	Elected 2º Round

References

1. Nicas, Jack (30 October 2022). "Brazil Election: Brazil Elects Lula, a Leftist Former Leader, in a Rebuke of Bolsonaro". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
2. "Geraldo Alckmin é o governador de São Paulo com mais tempo no cargo". Noticias R7 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 October 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
3. Mellis, Fernando (6 April 2018). "Governador com mais tempo no cargo, Alckmin renuncia nesta sexta" [Governor with longest time in office, Alckmin resigns this Friday]. Noticias.r7.com (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
4. Boadle, Anthony (23 March 2022). "Former Sao Paulo governor Alckmin joins leftist party to be Lula's running mate". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
5. Mori, Letícia (30 October 2022). "Lula eleito: a trajetória de Geraldo Alckmin e como deve ser sua atuação como vice-presidente". bbc.com (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
6. "Brazil's Pro-Business Candidate Won't Win Alone, Protege Says". Bloomberg.com. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
7. Eliane Brum e Ricardo Mendonça (16 January 2006). "O Governador e a Obra". Época. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
8. "Folha de S.Paulo - Perfil do candidato: Alckmin é candidato que não diz não - 27/09/2000". www1.folha.uol.com.br. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
9. "Candidatos - Presidente - Geraldo Alckmin" (in Portuguese). Folha de S.Paulo. 12 August 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
10. "Brazilian governor's son killed in helicopter crash". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
11. "Eleições 2006". Archived from the original on 1 December 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2006.
12. José Alberto Bombig e Fernando Barros de Mello (19 January 2009). "Alckmin é o novo secretário de Desenvolvimento de Serra". Folha de S.Paulo. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
13. "Geraldo Alckmin assume secretaria em São Paulo". Clicrbs. 19 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
14. Daniel Roncaglia (13 June 2010). "PSDB lança Geraldo Alckmin candidato ao governo paulista". Folha de S.Paulo. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
15. "Apuração completa - Governador". Folha de S.Paulo. 3 October 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
16. "Alckmin toma posse e promete trabalhar 'não apenas por São Paulo, mas pelo Brasil'". Folha de S.Paulo. 1 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
17. Gabriela Vieira e Ricardo Chapola (5 June 2013). "Greve afeta 14 hospitais estaduais na capital, diz sindicato". O Estado de S. Paulo. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
18. Viana, Julia Basso (19 April 2013). "Professores decidem greve em assembleia na Avenida Paulista". Portal G1 (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
19. "Haddad e Alckmin anunciam redução das tarifas para R$ 3 em SP". Terra. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
20. Tatiana Santiago (29 June 2014). "PSDB oficializa candidatura de Alckmin à reeleição ao governo de SP". G1. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
21. Paulo Saldaña (5 October 2014). "Geraldo Alckmin é reeleito governador de SP com 57% dos votos". O Estado de S. Paulo. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
22. Débora Melo e Janaina Garcia (1 January 2015). "Alckmin assume 4º mandato e não cita crise hídrica em SP". Terra. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
23. "Por 470 votos a 3, PSDB elege Geraldo Alckmin presidente nacional do partido". G1.globo.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
24. Matsui, Naomi (9 December 2017). "'Lula quer voltar à cena do crime', diz Alckmin ao assumir presidência do PSDB". Poder360 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
25. "Arthur Virgílio desiste, e Alckmin deve ser candidato do PSDB à Presidência". 1.folha.uol.com.br. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
26. "Alckmin diz que delação da Odebrecht é de 'natureza eleitoral' e 'não tem procedência' - Política - Estadão". Politica.estadao.com.br. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
27. Jardim, Lauro. "O time da comunicação - Lauro Jardim - O Globo". Lauro Jardim - O Globo. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
28. "Alckmin anuncia equipe econômica com criadores do Plano Real - Política - Estadão". Politica.estadao.com.br. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
29. "Após ameaças de divisão, Centrão fecha com Alckmin para tentar chegar ao segundo turno". G1.globo.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
30. "Alckmin confirma Ana Amélia como vice". Poder360.com.br. 2 August 2018. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
31. "Alckmin terá 44% da TV; líderes, Bolsonaro e Marina dependerão da internet". 1.folha.uol.com.br. 5 August 2018. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
32. "A trajetória de Alckmin, candidato do PSDB à Presidência". Nexojornal.com.br. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
33. "Rodrigo Garcia, vice-governador de SP, deixa DEM depois de 27 anos e se filia ao PSDB". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
34. "PSDB oficializa vice-governador Rodrigo Garcia como candidato ao governo de São Paulo em 2022". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
35. "Geraldo Alckmin deixa PSDB após 33 anos no partido". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
36. Paraguassu, Lisandra (14 December 2021). "Analysis: A possible alliance in the making between Lula, former rival in Brazil 2022 run". Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
37. Fiuza, Marcello Sapio, Renan. "PT oficializa Lula e aprova Alckmin como vice em chapa à Presidência". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
38. "Em ato com Lula, PSB oficializa apoio ao petista e Alckmin como candidato a vice-presidente". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
39. Cerqueira, Carolina. "Quem é Geraldo Alckmin, vice-presidente da República eleito". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
40. "Ex-rival de Lula, Geraldo Alckmin agora sobe ao Planalto como vice do petista". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
41. "Brazil's incoming President Lula unveils more cabinet picks". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
42. "AO VIVO: Acompanhe cerimônia de posse de Lula e Geraldo Alckmin". ND Mais (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 January 2023. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.

External links

• Geraldo 45 - unofficial website