Augusto Cury announces pre-candidacy for presidency and releases open letter to the nation

Well, folks, the Brazilian political scene just got a whole lot more interesting. On the night of this Wednesday, 4 March 2026, psychiatrist and author Augusto Cury decided to step out of the consultation room and throw his hat into the ring. The man behind the classics that've helped millions of Brazilians get a handle on their anxiety – like "O Vendedor de Sonhos" ("The Dream Seller") and "Ansiedade – Como Enfrentar o Mal do Século" ("Anxiety – How to Face the Evil of the Century") – posted an open letter on social media announcing his pre-candidacy for the nation's Presidency. And let's be honest, it's not every day you see a bloke who teaches us to manage emotions wanting to manage the country.

If you've ever read anything by Augusto Cury, you'll know he's not one for idle chat. The psychiatrist, who has over 30 published works and is considered one of the most-read authors of the decade, has always hammered home the importance of emotional intelligence and the need to rethink our roles in society. Now, he wants to take that conversation to the Planalto Palace. In the letter, Cury really lets rip at what he calls "political theatre" and criticises the polarisation that, according to him, "paralyses the country and makes its people sick."

The tone of the document is pure Cury: philosophical, direct, and with a touch of provocation. He argues that politics needs a revamp based on emotional management and existential intelligence. In plain English: instead of power struggles, he wants to put emotional education right at the heart of the debate. And you know what? It actually makes a fair bit of sense. At a time when everyone's mental health is stretched to the limit, the idea of a president who actually gets anxiety and stress could really resonate with a lot of voters who are over the usual back-and-forth.

One thing that stands out is that Augusto Cury isn't aligned with any political party – at least, not yet. In the letter, he makes it clear he's not asking for a ticket, but rather putting himself out there to be approached by parties willing to have a chat that's "outside the box." It's a bold move: instead of hitching his wagon to an already tarnished party, he's throwing down the gauntlet to them. Who's going to want to back a candidate who talks about "reinventing politics" and appeals to voters who often steer clear of conventional debates? Who knows.

The reaction online, predictably, was a mixed bag of surprise, memes, and genuine support. Some people are quick to point out that Brazil has already elected a president without a party (and we saw how that went), but there's also a fair few who are excited about the prospect of a leader who, at least on paper, understands human behaviour. After all, if politics is made by people and for people, why not have a psychiatrist in charge?

If you've been keeping an eye on current affairs, you've probably seen "Augusto Cury" trending after the announcement. And it's no coincidence. His name, already a household one in bookshops, is now making its way into political chats. The writer is pinning his hopes on issues like:

• Emotional education in schools – a long-time passion of his, which gains traction in a country with high rates of bullying and youth depression.
• Mental health in the public system – proposals to expand psychological care through the SUS (Brazil's public health system), something that always comes up in debates but never quite gets off the ground.
• An end to toxic polarisation – a message that appeals to both the left and the right who are fed up with extremism.

Now, we wait for the next instalment. Will parties approach the psychiatrist? Will he be able to turn online buzz into actual votes? One thing's for sure: with Augusto Cury in the mix, the 2026 election promises to have a bit more reflection (and maybe a bit less shouting) than we're used to. Keep an eye on this one, because this story is going to spark plenty of pub chats and, who knows, maybe some real change.