Romeu Zema says Flávio Bolsonaro’s ties to banker Daniel Vorcaro could hand the presidency to Lula

Romeu Zema, former governor of Minas Gerais and Novo party pre‑presidential candidate, criticised Senator Flávio Bolsonaro for proposing his brother Eduardo for the foreign ministry and for the senator’s association with Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master. Zema called Vorcaro a “banker bandit”, said he has never met him despite living in the same city, and warned that the Banco Master scandal threatens the right‑wing’s electoral chances.

During an AmCham Brasil event in São Paulo on 25 May 2026, Zema said voters who back Flávio are likely to “deliver the election to Lula”, citing recent Datafolha polls that show President Lula leading the second‑round match‑up. He also downplayed a 2022 donation of R$1 million from Vorcaro’s father to the Novo party, stating it was made without any quid‑pro‑quo.

Zema urged support for competent, non‑nepotistic candidates and stressed the need for Brazil to align more closely with the United States and the West.