# Brazil Novo Party 2026 Election Campaign > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-novo-party-2026-election-campaign > Updated: 2026-09-08T21:39:35.000Z. Sources: 88. Developments: 7. Following his nomination by the Novo party, Romeu Zema has expanded his 2026 presidential campaign with several controversial policy proposals. Zema, who resigned from his position as governor of Minas Gerais to run, has pledged to ban online betting platforms, characterizing them as a “plague” and a “cancer” similar to chemical dependency. His security platform includes building a maximum-security prison for criminal leaders and reducing the age of criminal responsibility. Zema has also faced scrutiny for his comments on social assistance, labeling beneficiaries a “generation of useless people” and proposing that payments be suspended for those refusing three job offers. Additionally, his campaign has utilized approximately R$ 1.7 million in party funds, a shift from his previous opposition to such spending. In recent developments, Zema has intensified his criticism of judicial and legislative institutions. During a televised interview, he described the Brazilian Senate as “acovardado” (cowardly) regarding a scandal involving the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and Master Bank. Wearing a shirt that read “chega de intocáveis” (enough untouchables), he argued that the Republic is failing to conduct necessary investigations. More recently, Zema defended STF Minister André Mendonça regarding investigations into Banco Master, describing the minister as a “ponderate figure” who does not seek political or legal protagonism. However, he maintained his broader criticism of the STF, calling the continued presence of certain ministers a “shame for the country” and advocating for a “cleaning” of the court. As the campaign progresses, polling data indicates a shifting electoral landscape. Candidate Augusto Cury has seen unexpected growth, surpassing Zema and Ronaldo Caiado in the polls. Analysts suggest this rise could disrupt the polarization between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, as third-way candidates become increasingly competitive. ## Claims - The Novo party officially confirmed Romeu Zema as its presidential candidate on 27 July 2026. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The party convention was held in Brasília. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The party has not yet defined a vice-presidential candidate. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Datafolha poll released 24 July 2026 gave Zema about 3 % voter intention. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Zema proclaimed his political banner as being against the PT, criticizing its past scandals and governance in Minas Gerais. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Zema discussed the possibility of former STF minister Joaquim Barbosa becoming his vice‑presidential candidate. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Recent Datafolha and Nexus/BTG polls show Zema with about 3 % voter intention. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Zema pledged to fight corruption, cut public spending and pursue privatizations. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Romeu Zema presents campaign commitments to Christians Romeu Zema and Eduardo Girão released a campaign letter to Christians defending civic-military schools, homeschooling, and stricter drug policies, while proposing bans on betting platforms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-presents-campaign-commitments-to-christians ### 2026-09-08: Romeu Zema defends STF minister amid shifting election polls Presidential candidate Romeu Zema defended STF Minister André Mendonça while calling for a cleaning of the Supreme Court, as polling shows unexpected growth for candidate Augusto Cury. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-defends-stf-minister-amid-shifting-election-polls ### 2026-08-28: Romeu Zema campaigns for Brazil presidency with Novo party Former Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema is running for Brazil's presidency in 2026 with the Novo party, campaigning at the Expointer agribusiness fair. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-campaigns-for-brazil-presidency-with-novo-party ### 2026-08-17: Romeu Zema launches 2026 presidential campaign for Novo Romeu Zema has launched his 2026 presidential campaign for the Novo party, proposing a ban on online betting and reforms to social programs to mandate employment. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-faces-backlash-over-campaign-video-imagery-and-music ### 2026-08-12: Romeu Zema confirms presidential bid and criticizes judicial censorship Novo party presidential candidate Romeu Zema has confirmed his run for office and criticized recent Supreme Court decisions, labeling them as censorship that threatens Brazilian freedom of expression. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-confirms-presidential-bid-and-criticizes-judicial-censorship ### 2026-07-24: Romeu Zema confirmed as Partido Novo presidential candidate Romeu Zema was nominated by Partido Novo on 27 July 2026; no vice chosen yet, Joaquim Barbosa discussed. Polls give Zema ~3 % support. He runs anti‑PT, proposes an Amazon super‑prison and classifying gangs as‑‑ 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-nominated-by-brazils-novo-party-for-2026-presidential-race ### 2026-07-22: Romeu Zema Secures Novo Nomination for 2026 Brazilian Presidential Race Romeu Zema’s presidential bid was formalized by Novo on 27 July; he will name a vice‑president after the convention, stresses a clean‑record ticket and promotes women‑focused policies. 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-grande-do-norte-reduces-school-dropout-by-40-with-active-search-program --- Cite as: Brazil Novo Party 2026 Election Campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-novo-party-2026-election-campaign