Zema denies being a Bolsonaro supporter, but will go to events in support of Bolsonaro

Although he has already shared the platform with former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), governor Romeu Zema (Novo) said he has ideological differences with the former head of the Brazilian Executive. Asked if he is a Bolsonarist, the governor denied. For the Minas Gerais native, the rapprochement with the former president happened naturally and was due to the polarization between left and right in the country.

At a breakfast with journalists – the first after 6 years as head of the Minas Gerais government – Zema stated that he will be present at the demonstration in defense of Bolsonaro that should take place next month in Belo Horizonte.

On Monday (22/4), the State of Minas published that the Minas Gerais Liberal Party (PL) is considering repeating the acts on Av. Paulista and Copacabana in Belo Horizonte. When asked about his presence at the events, just as he was in São Paulo, he said that he would “definitely” be present. “We have a common adversary”, concluded the governor.

Although it was clear that Zema is on the side of the former president for not agreeing with the left, the head of the Minas Gerais Executive mentioned that he has no interest in the customs agenda so defended by Bolsonaro. He even went so far as to say that his dialogue with Bolsonaro is almost zero and only happens when there is a common interest.

Asked whether he is a Bolsonarista or not, the governor even joked about the subject. “It’s not quite like that…” he said to the journalists present. The governor also cited discomfort with Jair Bolsonaro’s management in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “People dying and him playing bad jokes,” said the governor.

Romeu Zema received journalists from Minas Gerais at the BDMG headquarters. No cameras or recorders were allowed. In the interview, he addressed the issue of Minas Gerais debt and other issues, such as his leading role within Novo, plans for 2026 and the relationship with the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais.