Zema says he was misunderstood about work and aid – 03/06/2023 – Politics

The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), said this Saturday (3) that he was misunderstood when he said that the states of the Southeast and South of the country are different because there are more people working in them than living on emergency aid.

“Perhaps because I didn’t use the right words, I was misunderstood. People receive help because they don’t have a job. Help is important at a time of pandemic, recession,” said the governor, on the second day of a Cosud (Integration Consortium) meeting South and Southeast), which brings together in Belo Horizonte the seven states of the two regions.

According to the governor, the ideal is for people to have jobs.

Zema’s statement praising the South and Southeast was given at the opening of the meeting, on Friday (2), and was the target of criticism from oppositionists, who pointed out prejudiced content with other regions.

“If there are states that can contribute for this country to succeed, I believe that these seven states are here. They are states where, unlike the vast majority, there is a much greater proportion of people working than living on emergency aid”, said the governor in the occasion.

Zema has been trying to make himself viable as a pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic in 2026.

“Shameful! Romeu Zema is the typical example of Bolsonarist prejudice. Sad to know that this citizen is governor of MG”, said Guilherme Boulos (PSOL-SP), federal deputy allied with President Lula (PT).

“Respect the Northeast! Governor Romeu Zema made xenophobic statements attacking the North, Northeast and Midwest of Brazil. Phrases that I refuse to republish and that only attest to his prejudice, unpreparedness and irresponsibility”, he wrote on a social network Humberto Costa (PT), senator from Pernambuco.

“The guy hates poor people and still exudes prejudice. And worse, he does it with the authority of a governor. An unacceptable bad example”, said federal deputy Rogério Correia (PT-MG).

Early this Saturday afternoon, the seven governors are going to release a letter of commitments signed during meetings of technical groups from the seven states that discussed, over the two days, issues related to public management.