Leaders from the Brazilian political party MDB have highlighted past elections where they achieved significant parliamentary victories while maintaining neutrality in the presidential races. In the years 1998 and 2006, MDB adopted a neutral stance, which led to their largest parliamentary representations, with 83 seats in 1998 and 89 in 2006. This historical context is influencing current internal discussions on whether the party should take a side in the upcoming election amidst divisions between factions supportive of Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro.

The current MDB leadership notes a growing trend towards pro-Lula sentiment in only ten of Brazil's 27 states, mostly located in the North and Northeast regions. In contrast, support for Bolsonaro or a third option appears to be more widespread in other states, complicating the party's decision-making process regarding endorsements. The party's internal divisions are significant, as no faction appears to have enough strength to dominate a convention in favor of a particular candidate, indicating a struggle for consensus.

Recently, the MDB's position became more complex with the strengthening of its Rio de Janeiro branch, which recently nominated a candidate for vice president on Eduardo Paes's ticket. This development has potentially narrowed the options available for MDB as it navigates its political strategy, underscoring the ongoing challenges of aligning with a candidate while managing internal divisions and historical precedents that favor neutrality.