Lula is as democrat as me, says Zema – 03/06/2024 – Power

The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), stated this Wednesday (6) that President Lula (PT) is a Democrat and minimized the political differences between him and the PT member.

“The president, as much as I am, are democrats, we believe in democracy and we have a difference of opinion even with our spouses, what can we say to others”, declared Zema, who was at the Palácio do Planalto to discuss Minas debt in the midst of to conversations about a new model of fiscal recovery regime for the states.

“I told him [Lula] that all mayors of Minas Gerais, including PT mayors, from any party, are treated with greater respect by my government. So we are here for Brazil, for finding solutions for Minas Gerais, to improve Brazil. These differences, while we are working, are set aside.”

Zema is Lula’s political opponent, supported Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in 2022 and is seen as one of the possible heirs of Bolsonarism in the face of the former president’s electoral disqualification.

He was one of the governors who attended, on February 25 in São Paulo, a political event in which Bolsonaro gathered thousands of supporters on Avenida Paulista. The demonstration was seen as a demonstration of strength by the former president, the target of a series of investigations by the Federal Police, including one investigating a coup plot to try to prevent Lula from taking office after the elections.

The issue of Minas Gerais’ debt was the central point of Zema’s meeting with Lula. The governor also stated that Minister Fernando Haddad (Finance) promised that he will ask the STF (Supreme Federal Court) to extend the suspension of payment of the State’s debt, if he deems that the current term of the measure is not sufficient.