“I prefer to support than be supported”, says Romeu Zema about 2026 elections

Although his name is involved in speculation about a possible candidacy for the presidency or vice-presidency of the Republic in the 2026 elections, the governor of Minas Gerais, Romeo Zema (Novo-MG), says he still prefers “to support than to be supported”. The statement was made during an event organized by the organization Lide Paraná, which brought together executives from various business sectors in Curitiba this Monday (3). The governor of Minas Gerais participated in a debate on the promotion of business relations between the two states.

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Asked by People’s Gazette about the expectation of contesting the next presidential elections, Zema – who is serving a second term – says that 2026 is still too far away for the discussion. For him, the priority now is to handle his assignments as governor. “I had a first term in which I acted almost like a firefighter. Putting out fires. I assumed a devastated state and now I am having the opportunity to carry out a series of improvements, ”he said.

The name of Romeu Zema has been considered for the election. A survey conducted in April by the Great/Quaest pointed out the name of the governor of São Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas (Republicanos-SP), as a favorite for the presidency in the 2026 elections. Zema was also mentioned, remaining as the third option in the view of the interviewees, behind the former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro.

In addition, the recent trial that removed the former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) of the next elections started to promote with more force the debate about the future candidates. The right seems convinced that Tarcísio should lead a ticket as a candidate capable of defeating Lula. And Romeu Zema is one of those nominated for vice.

For the time being, Zema claims that the best path would be for the governors of the states of the South and Southeast to unite to find “a good name” for the presidency, and that everyone supported the nomination in unison.

Whether this name would be his, the Minas Gerais governor does not make it clear, but hints that he prefers to stay behind the scenes – at least for the time being. “I hope it’s someone who does a good job for Brazil, that I’ll give my full support. I’d rather support than be supported. I have a lot to do there in Minas.” The cue could also be an indication that Zema is a name to dispute the Senate by the state, in the 2026 elections.

With Junior Mouse

Zema’s visit to Paraná was to participate in events with businessmen and political meetings, due to a national convention held during the last weekend with representatives of the New Party in Curitiba.

On Monday morning, Zema met the governor of Paraná, junior mouse (PSD-PR), in a closed-door meeting. The agenda, according to him, was focused on strengthening the cosudthe South and Southeast Integration Consortium, and in the partnership between the states to bring about changes in the tax reform proposal, which is being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies and which may go to the vote this week.

Ratinho Junior was elected president of the consortium at the last meeting held by the group, which brings together the governors of the seven states of the two regions, in Belo Horizonte.

“We are working together because we are very similar states, with a higher development than the national average. States that represent more than 70% of Brazil’s economy,” said Zema.

The governor of Paraná also indicates that he is preparing for a possible presidential dispute. Ratinho Junior uses the trump card of having recently obtained the highest approval among the governors, in a survey carried out in Brazilian capitals, and the favorable economic position of Paraná on the national scene, with consecutive GDP growth above the national average and occupying the 4th position country’s largest economy.

Zema also gets good results in the electoral evaluations in Minas. the last poll Great/Quaestreleased in April, showed that the governor’s second term was being approved by 59% of Minas Gerais.