Novo Party Confirms Zema's Presidential Bid, Delays Vice Presidential Announcement

The Novo Party has officially confirmed the candidacy of former Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema for the presidency at a convention in Brasília. However, the party has yet to announce who will be his vice presidential running mate.

Zema's candidacy was approved by acclamation. The party's president, Eduardo Ribeiro, stated that Novo plans to field 150 candidates nationwide, primarily for the Chamber of Deputies and legislative assemblies. The party is reportedly facing challenges in finding a suitable vice presidential candidate, as Zema's poll numbers have struggled to gain traction.

Ribeiro expressed strong support for Zema, contrasting him with the Workers' Party (PT). "Zema's competence cannot be compared to that of other candidates. [...] He did not let the PT return [to power in Minas Gerais]. Good management with dedicated, upright, and courageous people buries the PT. We will bury the PT as we buried it in Minas Gerais," Ribeiro stated.

Recent polls show Zema with 3% of voter intention, placing him in a similar bracket to Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) and significantly behind Flávio Bolsonaro (PL). The Novo Party is under pressure to improve its electoral performance, especially as this is the first national election where the party has authorized the use of campaign funds, a departure from its original stance against public funding.

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Zema's competence cannot be compared to that of other candidates. [...] He did not let the PT return [to power in Minas Gerais]. Good management with dedicated, upright, and courageous people buries the PT. We will bury the PT as we buried it in Minas Gerais