In a dispute for right-wing voters, the pre-candidate for President (Novo) stated that the revelations of the case of the (Supreme Federal Court) brought out “all the rot” in the court, which, according to him, had already “smelled badly” for “a few years”.
The former governor of Minas Gerais also defended the impeachment of “at least two” Supreme Court ministers — and the arrest of them — and changes in the selection criteria, such as the adoption of a list of names.
The connections of these ministers with , owner of the Master, helped to degrade the image of the court. For the Novo pre-candidate, the court’s moment is a “party of untouchables” and the “climate of indignation” for this election year is greater than it was in 2018.
Zema has had difficulty advancing in voting intention polls. In the most recent Datafolha survey, it appeared with 4% of voting intentions, technically tied with (, 5%), Renan Santos (Missão, 2%), Aldo Rebelo (DC, 1%) and Cabo Daciolo (Mobiliza, 1%).
Lula (PT) and Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) lead, with 39% and 35%, respectively.
When commenting on his relationship with the state of São Paulo, Zema stated that he was the most “Paulista” former governor in the history of Minas Gerais. The Novo politician studied business administration at FGV (Fundação Getúlio Vargas).
The statements were made at an event at ACSP (São Paulo Commercial Association) this Monday (13), at the organization’s headquarters, in the center of São Paulo.
Zema also defended the review of social programs and criticized discussions about changes to working hours in an election year.
“There are grown men aged 20, 25 years old receiving Bolsa Família who spend the whole day on the sofa playing video games,” he said. According to him, there are people who refuse to have formal jobs to stay in the programs.
In 2024, the former governor was criticized for attacking social programs. At the time, he associated Bolsa Família with a shortage of labor. The Minister of Social Development, (PT), responded at the time.
“Often the lack of correct information about the truth leads to the idea that people are addicted, they don’t want to work or sign a contract”, said the portfolio holder to the then governor.
For Zema, the debate about the end of the 6×1 scale in an election year is “populism and demagoguery” on the part of the government. “They consider it a prize, but we know it’s something harmful for a large part of the population.”
A study by the (Institute of Applied Economic Research) points out that a reduction in working hours could increase the cost of labor in the Brazilian market by 7.8%. This effect, however, could be, according to the institute.
Public safety was also addressed. Zema has already publicly defended that Brazil take measures similar to those adopted in El Salvador, by the current . The Central American country became known as .
Bukele’s administration is criticized for its autocratic tendencies and is the target of allegations of human rights violations. In July 2025, the Salvadoran Legislature, with a government majority, approved an amendment to the Constitution that allows successive re-elections.
At the end of the event, Zema commented on the possible nomination as vice-president on Flávio Bolsonaro’s ticket. He recalled the support between the parties in five states, but that he intends to take the campaign “until the end”. He also stated that Novo “learned how to do politics”.
The former governor recorded a video with the senator on Sunday (12) in which he jokes about a possible ticket with both names. “I’m here with Flávio inviting you to be my deputy. What do you think?”, says Zema.
