The pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic (Novo) was disinvited from a meeting of his own party in Santa Catarina due to his criticism of the relationship between the pre-candidate () and the former banker, from .
Novo’s state leadership took the decision after aligning leaders and members of the party, according to a statement released to the press. The event will be held on July 4th, in Joinville (SC).
The directory threatened not to support Zema’s nomination as the party’s candidate for President of the Republic. “If there is no drastic and immediate change in the pre-candidate’s communications team, the state directory of Santa Catarina must position itself against the nomination of Romeu Zema as candidate for the Presidency of the Republic for Novo during the party’s internal processes”, says the text.
“This decision stems from the assessment that the current political moment requires efforts aimed at uniting the Brazilian right around a greater objective: building a strong and competitive alternative to defeat the PT and remove the left from power in 2026.”
“We understand that this challenge requires convergence, dialogue and focus on what really matters to Brazilians: more opportunities, job creation, security, reduced cost of living and a country that grows again”, states the directory in Santa Catarina
When asked by UOL about the disinvitation, Zema only responded that he is well received in the state. “I am very well received by the people of Santa Catarina, I have a very special affection for them. I have been to the state several times and I will soon be there again”, he said through the pre-campaign advisor.
Zema criticized Flávio after the revelation of audios in which the senator demands money from Vorcaro for the film about his father. He classified as “unforgivable” the request for millions of reais to finance the film “”, which narrates, from the Bolsonaro point of view, the story of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL). Afterwards, Zema retreated and said that the situation was “a new page”.
Last week, however, he criticized Flávio again, saying that “whoever hangs out with criminals deserves to be viewed with caution.” The statement took place during a hearing held by the Brasil Paralelo channel on YouTube. “Would I be able to applaud someone who comes close to the biggest criminal banker in Brazil? I think it’s difficult for someone to want to applaud someone who was, who lived with, a person like him”, said the former governor of Minas Gerais.
“So, I was outraged and expressed my indignation. I’m not changing anything. For me, anyone who hangs out with criminals deserves to be seen with caution. So, did I wear myself out? I wore myself out. But I’m sleeping [bem]”, these Zema.
At the weekend, former deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL) countered Zema’s criticism and spoke of a break with the Novo party. “What a slutty stance, criticize Flávio Bolsonaro just because he [Zema] I wanted to be in Flávio’s place. For me, I would break with the Novo party”, he wrote in X.
Today Zema participated in an event with Flávio and avoided criticizing him. When asked about the episode at a Veja magazine forum in São Paulo, the former governor declined to talk. “I’m not taking anything away from what I said, it’s been said, but I’m looking at the future now. The right will be united in the second round, yes. If I disagree with him [do Flávio]I disagree much more with the PT”, he said.
Mineiro also stated that the partnership between Novo and PL in the states “is done and is going well”. In Zema’s opinion, a breakup is unlikely, and Eduardo’s statement “must be a personal opinion”.
