Exactly this. His current rhetoric is unlikely to unite the CPC and may actually split it.It's not so much that PP is an extremist, but he's actively lending credence to conspiracy theories, which is problematic in that it legitimizes the same sort of divisive populist rhetoric the likes of Sarah Palin and Donald Trump brought to the forefront of American politics.
Besides, the way he treats his fellow contenders shows he doesn't have the character I look for in an aspiring head of state.
I don’t think he’s extremist per se, I think he wants that fringe bloc to vote for him though so he’s saying a lot of what they want to hear.