President of the Republic analyzed his predecessor’s influence on the right, he said that governor will do ‘what Bolsonaro wants’ and called Romeu Zema a’ caricata ‘figure’
The president (PT) said on Friday (29) that the governor of São Paulo (Republicans) depends politically on former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). According to Lula, Tarcisio “will do what Bolsonaro wants, because without Bolsonaro he is nothing.” The petista highlighted the influence of the former president, ineligible until 2030, on the “far right”, but said it is still early to define the electoral scenario of 2026. “It is very hasty wanting to define the game off the stadium. We will enter the field and then things will be decided,” he said.
Lula reaffirmed during the interview with Radio Itatiaia that could compete in reelection, if he is “100% health”. Otherwise, he stated that there are “several names inside and outside the PT” that could represent their political base. The president also commented on alliances and said he maintained a good relationship with the PSD, a party led by Gilberto Kassab, which today makes up the Tarcisio government. “My relationship with Kassab is very good, very solid,” he said, without anticipating support scenarios.
The relationship between the president and the governor of São Paulo has had moments of approach. In February 2024, during the launch of the partnership for the construction of the Santos-Guarujá tunnel, the two shared the stage in a friendly climate. Lula classified the agreement as a “civilizing act” and said that Tarcisio would have in the presidency “everything that is necessary” to enable the work. At the time, there was a change of smiles, hugs and even jokes from the audience, which even shouted “back to PT” to the governor, drawing laughs.
The collaborative tone was seen as an important political gesture, since the work, promised over 90 years ago, only left the paper thanks to the understanding between Union and State. A few months later, however, the cordial environment gave rise to friction about the conduct of the project and the protagonism dispute in other areas, such as the fight against organized crime. This year, especially, with the approach of the 2026 elections, there is a great distance from side by side.
In addition to Tarcísio, Lula mirred criticism of the governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), whom he called the “caricature figure” and “false humble”. He argued that Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) disputes the Minas Gerais government in 2026. “He will be governor of Minas Gerais. I have no doubt that his opponents will dismantle powder,” he said.
During the interview, Lula also defended the cassation of federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP). For him, the parliamentarian “will move on to history as the greatest traitor of the country’s homeland.”
*Report produced with the aid of AI
