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

Well, here's an interesting twist in the Brazilian political landscape. On the evening of Wednesday, 4th March 2026, psychiatrist and author Augusto Cury decided to step out of the therapist's chair and into the political arena. The man behind the classics that have helped millions of Brazilians get to grips with their anxiety – such as "The Dream Seller" and "Anxiety: Facing the Evil of the Century" – published an open letter on social media announcing his pre-candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic. And let's be honest, it's not every day you see a chap who teaches us how to manage our emotions wanting to manage the country.

Anyone who's read a book by Augusto Cury knows he's not one for idle chat. The psychiatrist, who has over 30 published works and is considered one of the most widely 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 loose against what he calls a "political theatre" and criticises the polarisation that, in his view, "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 to be renewed based on emotional management and existential intelligence. In plain English: instead of power struggles, he wants to put emotional education at the heart of the debate. And fair enough, it does make a certain kind of sense. At a time when everyone's mental health is stretched to the limit, the idea of a president who understands anxiety and stress could well appeal to voters tired of the usual back-and-forth.

One detail that stands out is that Augusto Cury isn't affiliated with any party – at least not yet. In the letter, he makes it clear he's not asking for a party ticket, but rather putting himself forward for parties willing to have a "thinking outside the box" conversation. It's a bold move: instead of joining a potentially tarnished party, he's throwing down the gauntlet to them. Who'll want to take on a candidate who talks about "reinventing politics" and appeals to an electorate that often steers clear of conventional debates? Who knows.

The reaction on social media, naturally, was a mix of surprise, memes, and genuine support. Some people recall that Brazil has elected an independent president before (and we saw how that turned out), but there's also a fair bit of excitement 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're keeping up with current affairs, you'll have noticed that "Augusto Cury" has been trending since the announcement. And it's no coincidence. His name, already a household one in bookshops, is now invading political conversations. The writer is pinning his hopes on issues like:

• Emotional education in schools – a long-standing cause 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 support within the SUS (the national health service), 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, weary of extremism.

Now, we wait for the next instalment. Will parties approach the psychiatrist? Will he be able to turn virtual enthusiasm into real votes? One thing's for sure: with Augusto Cury in the running, the 2026 election promises to involve a bit more reflection (and perhaps a bit less shouting) than we're used to. Keep an eye on this one – it's a story that's bound to fuel plenty of pub talk and, who knows, maybe even some real change.