Brazil's PL Party to Field 'Pure Slate' in Minas Gerais Governor Race

Flávio Roscoe, the Liberal Party's (PL) gubernatorial candidate in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, has declared that the party will contest the state elections with a "pure slate" of its own members. Roscoe, who recently ended a period of uncertainty regarding right-wing candidacies in the state, stated that his name was available throughout the process and he did not create divisions.

The businessman and former president of the Minas Gerais Federation of Industries (Fiemg) faces the challenge of gaining recognition beyond the business sector in a fragmented political landscape for the right in Minas Gerais. Several names were considered for the candidacy, including former mayor Vittorio Medioli and Senator Cleitinho, who is currently leading in preliminary polls.

Roscoe expressed a strong relationship with former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. He mentioned Bolsonaro had previously invited him to lead a ministry. Roscoe is committed to supporting Bolsonaro, calling his current situation an "injustice."

Criticizing the Lula administration's economic management, Roscoe also proposed changes to the Bolsa Família program. He advocates for a universal minimum income, arguing that formal employment should not disqualify individuals from receiving benefits. "What I defend is a minimum income program, where all Brazilians with income below X, working or not, receive [the benefit]," he stated. Roscoe believes his proposal has a greater social impact than the current system, which he claims fosters dependency on the state, whereas his plan aims to "free people from the state."

“

Meu nome estava à disposição durante todo esse processo. Eu aguardei as definições. Não criei nenhuma divisão, nenhuma celeuma, nem fiquei fazendo contraponto à candidatura do senador Cleitinho, que seria apoiada pelo PL.