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Romeu Zema denies withdrawing from presidential race despite pressure
Romeu Zema, the presidential candidate for the Novo party, is facing intense pressure from allies and political leaders to withdraw from the 2026 election. The movement seeks to consolidate the right-wing vote behind Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) to prevent President Lula (PT) from winning in the first round.
Internal pressure within the Novo party has intensified following the decision by Ricardo Salles to withdraw his Senate candidacy in favor of Bolsonaro. Other party members, including Marina Helena and Marco Antônio Superman, have also advocated for Zema to step aside. Additionally, political figures such as Tarcísio de Freitas and Nikolas Ferreira have called for right-wing unity.
Despite polling showing Zema with as little as 1% of voter intentions, the former governor of Minas Gerais has publicly denied plans to withdraw. In a video statement, Zema affirmed he will carry his campaign “until the end,” citing his past electoral successes in Minas Gerais and his commitment to fighting corruption.
Entities
Flávio Bolsonaro · Lula · Lula da Silva · Mateus Simões · Minas Gerais · Novo · PL · Romeu Zema
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] A Quaest poll shows Romeu Zema with 1% of voting intentions. br.paipee.com · valor.globo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Quaest poll shows Flávio Bolsonaro with 34% of voting intentions. br.paipee.com
- [DISPUTED] Nikolas Ferreira contacted Romeu Zema to request he withdraw and support Flávio Bolsonaro. www.metropoles.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Romeu Zema intends to continue his presidential candidacy until the end of the election. br.paipee.com · oantagonista.com.br · valor.globo.com · www.brasil247.com
- [DISPUTED] Ronaldo Caiado denied any agreement with Romeu Zema to withdraw and support Flávio Bolsonaro. oantagonista.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Governor Tarcísio de Freitas called for the unification of the right-wing block. br.paipee.com · atarde.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Quaest poll shows Lula with 39% of voting intentions. br.paipee.com
- [DISPUTED] Ricardo Salles withdrew his Senate candidacy to support Flávio Bolsonaro. br.paipee.com · www.areavip.com.br · atarde.com.br