Patrus Ananias Named PT Candidate for Minas Gerais Governorship

The Workers' Party (PT) confirmed that former minister and ex‑mayor of Belo Horizonte Patrus Ananias will be its candidate for governor of Minas Gerais in the 2026 elections. After a series of unsuccessful overtures to other figures—including Senator Rodrigo Pacheco, former mayor Marília Campos, and ex‑mayor Alexandre Kalil—President Luiz Inácio Lula met with Ananias on July 16 and gave the green light for a standalone PT ticket. The party will announce the candidacy on Monday, July 20, at 16:00 in Belo Horizonte. In preparation for the campaign, PT leaders discussed expanding education projects and addressing the state’s debt, including a proposal to convert CEFET MG and CEFET RJ into federal universities. While PT focuses on Ananias, the Liberal Party (PL) is expected to run its own candidate, Vittorio Medioli, after negotiations with the Republicanos' senator Cleitinho Azevedo stalled. The development underscores the strategic importance of Minas Gerais, Brazil’s second‑largest electoral college, for the presidential race.