Romeu Zema, a presidential pre-candidate for the Novo party, mocked the Workers' Party (PT) for its difficulty in organizing political support in Minas Gerais.
This friction highlights the battle for one of Brazil's most critical electoral states, where Zema aims to position himself as a more effective alternative to President Lula's coalition ahead of the 2026 election.
Speaking during the Novo party’s National Meeting in São Paulo on July 18, 2026 [1], the former governor of Minas Gerais addressed the PT's struggle to establish a "palanque" — a political platform or coalition — in the region. Zema said the PT's organizational weakness was a direct result of his own actions while in office.
"Considero a dificuldade do presidente Lula em montar um palanque em Minas… fizemos direito," Zema said [2].
Zema also targeted PT deputy Patrus Ananias, suggesting the deputy's decision to run for office was motivated by personal comfort rather than political strategy. He said, "Patrus aceitou para ter um pouquinho de sossego" [1].
By framing the PT's current instability as a consequence of his administration's success, Zema is attempting to signal to voters that his approach to governance has permanently weakened the left's influence in the state. This strategy focuses on the perceived lack of structure within the PT's local ranks as evidence of a broader decline in their regional power.
Gabriel Azevedo said that Zema will be judged by his record, stating, "Será julgado pelo que fez" [3].
“"Considero a dificuldade do presidente Lula em montar um palanque em Minas… fizemos direito."”
Zema's comments reflect a strategic effort to claim credit for the erosion of the Workers' Party's infrastructure in Minas Gerais. By linking the PT's current organizational struggles to his tenure as governor, he is attempting to transform a regional administrative record into a national campaign asset. This positioning is intended to appeal to voters who prioritize efficiency and the dismantling of traditional political machines.
