The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), said he would grant pardon to former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) if elected president of the Republic. By justifying the promise, the miner relativized the military regime from 1964 to 1985, saying that this is a “question of interpretation.” “There were kidnappers and killers who received amnesty, didn’t you? Now you won’t you give it?” He argued.
Zema grants interview to Folha de S. Paulo during the elaboration of its platform as a pre-candidate for the presidency. According to him, the pardon to Bolsonaro would be comparable to the amnesty granted to leftist militants.
When questioned directly on his opinion about the existence of a dictatorship in Brazil, he replied: “I think everything is a matter of interpretation.”
“I am not a historian, I never deepened. I prefer not to answer, because I think there are different interpretations,” said Zema.
Relationship
Zema has avoided direct confrontations with Jair Bolsonaro. He said he would not compete for the election against the former president, but did not rule out entering the race if the right candidate is one of Bolsonaro’s sons or former first lady Michelle.
“If he is [candidato]surely the right will work together. Now, if it’s a child, it’s already somewhat different, ”he said.
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The miner also signaled that, even in the event of a possible candidacy of Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans-SP), he can follow his postulation: “Everything is still green yet. I think we have to wait.”
El Salvador is Milei
Zema has sought to associate his image to that of Latin American conservative leaders. Last week, he visited El Salvador, where he praised President Nayib Bukele’s security program, which faces allegations of human rights abuse.
“There, life moved from water to wine,” said Zema. According to him, Brazil could adopt a similar policy, just “courage to arrest who kills and who steals”.
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Despite defending freedom of expression, he relativized the complaints against Bukele for persecution of opponents, stating that today the Salvadores have “freedom to come and go” – something that he said did not exist before.
Zema also declared admiration by Argentine President Javier Milei, although he rejected the idea of applying a “shock treatment” in Brazil. “What is missing is courage, not formula,” he said.
