The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), stated that he could be chosen to run as a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic in 2026, but said that the “indefiniteness” regarding the electoral situation of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) postpones the decision. Currently, the former president is ineligible. The statements were made in an interview with the newspaper The Globepublished this Sunday, 19.
“I have been holding regular meetings with right-wing governors. The group agrees that, if Bolsonaro is able to run, he is the most viable candidate. If not, we will try to find another name. Yes, I can be considered viable and be chosen”, said the governor, in the interview.
He then responded whether waiting for Bolsonaro stops the right in building a candidacy: “This uncertainty about whether or not he will be a candidate, certainly, ends up postponing this decision and the work that could already be happening.”
Zema avoided giving an opinion on whether he thought Bolsonaro’s indictment by the Federal Police was fair. “I am in favor of any investigation. If there is suspicion, it should be investigated. Those who shouldn’t, don’t fear. I am in favor of democracy, I would never support any coup and if someone did something wrong, let them explain”, he said.
Asked if he considers Bolsonaro an ally, Zema said that there are times when Novo and PL do not work together. “Let’s take the case of my election in 2022. I talked to Bolsonaro about walking together here in Minas, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. He launched Senator Carlos Viana and that could have cost me the election in the first round”, he declared.
Zema also stated that he sees “great names” for 2026 as Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), governor of São Paulo, Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil), governor of Goiás, and Ratinho Júnior (PSD), governor of Paraná.
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“Tarcísio would, in my opinion, have all the conditions, but he has said that he wants to be a candidate for re-election. I get along very well with Caiado and Ratinho. Just like me, they are completing their second term, are well evaluated and represent the right well. They are great names,” he said. Asked if he would be vice-president of any of them, Zema stated that he does not want to be “queen of England”.
In the election for the government of Minas, Zema said that he sees Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD), Alexandre Kalil (PSD) and Alexandre Silveira (PSD) as the main names on the left. He also stated that he will support his current vice-president, Professor Mateus (Novo), but that he would not cancel the possibility of taking another position to obtain the support of Bolsonarism for the Presidency.
