Cleitinho registers Minas Gerais governor bid after weeks of indecision

Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos-MG) has officially registered his candidacy for governor of Minas Gerais, ending weeks of speculation about his electoral plans. The registration, filed on the final day for candidates to submit their applications, followed a period of significant indecision.

Azevedo's political path saw several changes. He initially announced he would not run for governor in early August but reversed his decision the following day. The Republicanos party also initially rejected his candidacy, considering presenting its own slate of candidates for governor and senator.

This prolonged uncertainty impacted the alignment of right-wing political forces in Minas Gerais. While Azevedo was temporarily out of the running, the Liberal Party (PL) nominated Flávio Roscoe, former president of the Minas Gerais Federation of Industries (Fiemg), for governor, with support from federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira.

With Cleitinho Azevedo's confirmed candidacy, he and Flávio Roscoe will now compete for the same right-wing voter base within the state.