Zema criticizes ‘personal enrichment’ in politics – 08/23/2023 – Politics

On a trip to São Paulo, the governor of Minas Gerais Romeu Zema (Novo) criticized corruption in politics during his participation in an event on liberalism this Wednesday (23).

Without referring to any political leader specifically, Zema said in a speech that he entered politics because of the indignation with the national scenario and that, before running for office, he considered politics “almost a semi-criminal activity, a real aversion”.

“When we, who have some competence, some ability, condition to contribute, don’t show up, go there and take over those who don’t have any condition, who often will put politics as a way of personal enrichment or a personal plan of power , and not to contribute to the community, to society.”

The statement by the governor of Minas comes on the same day that the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais scheduled a ceremony to grant the title of citizen of Minas Gerais to Jair Bolsonaro (PL), involved in a scandal over the negotiation of jewelry abroad and investigation into a coup plot.

The honor had been signed by Zema in 2019. The two were political allies in the 2018 and 2022 elections.

The ceremony is scheduled for next Monday (28). Asked by Sheet whether he will attend the awarding of the title, Zema did not respond. State deputies, however, claim that the governor will participate. So far, the government of Minas has not confirmed Zema’s attendance.

At this Wednesday’s event, the governor also said that he met the governors of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), and of Paraná, Ratinho Júnior (PSD), and that he considers that the right is strengthened at this moment in the country.

He took the opportunity to criticize President Lula’s government (PT) and said that society can organize itself to avoid what he called setbacks. According to him, Brazil is, every year, less relevant in the world context due to governments that want the “greater state, thinking that the holy state is the solution to the population’s problems”.

Zema attended the Liberal Forum 2023, promoted by ILISP (Liberal Institute of São Paulo), to be awarded for a program he implemented to reduce bureaucracy in Minas.

Former President Michel Temer was also at the event and received a tribute for the approval of the 2017 Labor Reform.

Zema and Tarcísio are seen as possible candidates from the right field in the 2026 presidential election, since Bolsonaro is ineligible by decision of the Electoral Court.