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Romeu Zema confirmed as Partido Novo presidential candidate
At a convention in Brasília on 27 July 2026, the Partido Novo formally nominated former Minas Gerais governor Romeu Zema as its candidate for the Presidency of Brazil. The party has not yet selected a vice‑presidential running mate, but Zema has said he will meet former Supreme Court minister Joaquim Barbosa, who is being discussed as a possible vice‑presidential candidate.
Polls released after the convention show Zema with about 3 % voter intention, according to Datafolha and Nexus/BTG. In his speech Zema framed his campaign as a direct opposition to the PT, citing the party’s alleged role in the fiscal crisis in Minas Gerais and invoking scandals such as the “mensalão”, “petrolão”, “mala de dinheiro” and the recent “Master” case. He also proposed a controversial security plan that would build a super‑maximum‑security prison in a remote part of the Amazon to house leaders of criminal factions and called for those factions to be classified as terrorist organizations, following the United States model.
Zema emphasized his private‑sector background and anti‑corruption stance, pledging to end what he described as the “farra dos intocáveis” in the Supreme Court. The party is still negotiating possible alliances and will name its vice‑presidential candidate by the electoral deadline in August.
Entities
Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) · Eduardo Ribeiro · Joaquim Barbosa · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Partido Novo · Romeu Zema · Supreme Federal Court (STF)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The Novo party has not yet chosen a vice‑presidential candidate; possible names include former STF minister Joaquim Barbosa. www1.folha.uol.com.br · valor.globo.com · portalterradaluz.com.br · primeirojornal.com.br · www.estadao.com.br · +5 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Zema pledged to fight corruption, cut public spending and pursue privatizations. www.dgabc.com.br · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · valor.globo.com · portalterradaluz.com.br · primeirojornal.com.br · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Zema said he will classify criminal factions as terrorist organizations, following the United States model. www.metro1.com.br · www.metropoles.com · www.dgabc.com.br · www.estadao.com.br
- [● 8 SOURCES] Zema said his campaign banner is to be against the PT, claiming the party destroyed Minas Gerais. www.cnnbrasil.com.br · valor.globo.com · portalterradaluz.com.br · primeirojornal.com.br · www.estadao.com.br · +3 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The Novo party officially confirmed Romeu Zema as its presidential candidate on 27 July 2026. www1.folha.uol.com.br · www.metro1.com.br · www.dgabc.com.br · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · valor.globo.com · +13 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zema proposed building a remote super‑maximum security prison in the Amazon for criminal gang leaders. www.metro1.com.br · www.metropoles.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Recent Datafolha and Nexus/BTG polls show Zema with about 3 % voter intention. www1.folha.uol.com.br · valor.globo.com · primeirojornal.com.br · www.estadao.com.br · www.abcmais.com · +2 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The party convention was held in Brasília. www1.folha.uol.com.br · www.dgabc.com.br · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · valor.globo.com · portalterradaluz.com.br · +12 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Novo party officially nominated Romeu Zema as its presidential candidate on 27 July 2026 at a convention in Brasília. www1.folha.uol.com.br · www.dgabc.com.br · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · valor.globo.com · primeirojornal.com.br · +9 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Datafolha poll released 24 July 2026 gave Zema about 3 % voter intention. www1.folha.uol.com.br · valor.globo.com · primeirojornal.com.br · www.spacemoney.com.br · www.abcmais.com · +5 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zema proposed building a remote “super‑prison” in the Amazon to house leaders of criminal factions for at least 25 years. www.metro1.com.br · www.metropoles.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Zema discussed the possibility of former STF minister Joaquim Barbosa becoming his vice‑presidential candidate. www1.folha.uol.com.br · valor.globo.com · primeirojornal.com.br · www.spacemoney.com.br · bpmoney.com.br · +3 more