Zema Rejects Vice Slot With Flávio Bolsonaro, Reaffirms Presidential Bid

Overview

• Romeu Zema said there are no talks for him to serve as Flávio Bolsonaro’s running mate and he will keep his presidential pre-candidacy through the end of the electoral calendar.
• The idea of pairing Zema with Flávio Bolsonaro was floated last week by Progressistas president Ciro Nogueira, who cast Zema as the best vice option to challenge President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
• Nogueira argued Zema offers executive accomplishments and experience suited to a race centered on the Southeast, yet he also questioned whether Zema would expand the ticket’s vote share.
• Zema’s party, Novo, launched his pre-candidacy in August, highlighting liberal economic priorities and his record governing Minas Gerais.
• Other Bolsonaro-aligned governors, including Ronaldo Caiado and Ratinho Júnior, are also being discussed as potential presidential contenders.