One Candidate Attends Governorship Debate in Minas Gerais Amidst Rival Boycott

In a striking display of electoral politics, only one candidate, Gabriel Azevedo of the MDB party, appeared for a scheduled debate for the Minas Gerais governorship. The event, organized by TV Horizonte in partnership with Veja and Rede Catedral in Belo Horizonte, saw the absence of all six other invited candidates.

Those who did not attend included prominent figures such as Alexandre Kalil (PDT), Mateus Simões (PSD), Patrus Ananias (PT), Flávio Roscoe (PL), Ben Mendes (Missão), and Cleitinho (Republicanos). According to Azevedo's campaign, five of the absent candidates had confirmed their participation and even engaged in discussions about the debate's rules before ultimately withdrawing.

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Gabriel Azevedo classified the absence of rivals as a lack of respect for journalism and for the Minas Gerais voter.

Faced with this widespread boycott, the debate's format was altered. Azevedo participated in a 30-minute session, answering questions posed by four journalists. He strongly condemned the rivals' absence, labeling it a lack of respect for both journalism and the voters of Minas Gerais. Azevedo stressed that such encounters are crucial for electors to effectively compare candidates' proposals and visions for the state.

Recent polling data from the Quaest institute shows Cleitinho Azevedo leading the race with 29% of voter intentions, followed by Patrus Ananias (11%) and Alexandre Kalil (10%). Mateus Simões trails with 7%, and Gabriel Azevedo has 5%. The absence of major contenders from the debate raises questions about campaign strategies and engagement with the electorate in the crucial final stretch before the election.

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He defended that encounters between candidates are essential for the voter to be able to compare proposals and visions for the State.