Romeu Zema defends STF minister amid shifting election polls

During the Brazilian presidential campaign, candidate Romeu Zema has defended Supreme Federal Court (STF) Minister André Mendonça regarding investigations into Banco Master. Zema stated that he does not see excesses in Mendonça’s actions, describing the minister as a ponderate figure who does not seek political or legal protagonism. While supporting the conduct of the investigation, Zema criticized the STF, calling the continued presence of certain ministers a “shame for the country” and advocating for a “cleaning” of the court.

Simultaneously, recent polling data has indicated a shift in the electoral landscape. Psychiatrist and writer Augusto Cury has seen unexpected growth in the polls, surpassing candidates such as Ronaldo Caiado and Romeu Zema. Analysts suggest that the rise of such candidates could disrupt the existing political polarization between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, as any viable third-way candidate could become highly competitive in a potential second-round runoff.