Presidential Candidates Flávio Bolsonaro, Ronaldo Caiado, and Romeu Zema Campaign in Minas Gerais Targeting Agribusiness Support
Flávio Bolsonaro, Ronaldo Caiado, and Romeu Zema intensify their 2026 presidential campaigns in Minas Gerais, focusing on agribusiness support amid evolving gubernatorial challenges for Lula.
- • Bolsonaro, Caiado, and Zema will campaign in Minas Gerais targeting agribusiness support.
- • Bolsonaro lacks a defined platform in Minas Gerais and will receive Cidadão Honorário title in Belo Horizonte.
- • Caiado and Zema share a political alliance and will attend regional political events.
- • Lula's PT faces difficulties selecting a gubernatorial candidate, with key names under discussion.
Key details
Next week, Minas Gerais—a state with Brazil's second-largest electoral college—will host three prominent presidential candidates: Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), former Goiás Governor Ronaldo Caiado (PSD), and former Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema (Novo). Each candidate is focusing on securing support from the influential agribusiness sector.
Flávio Bolsonaro, despite lacking a defined campaign platform in the state, will arrive in Belo Horizonte on Monday, May 31, visiting key local sites including the Central Market and Hospital da Baleia. That evening, all three candidates will participate in the Eloos Itatiaia event, which centers on agribusiness. On Tuesday, they will jointly open Megaleite 2026, Brazil’s largest dairy cattle exhibition.
Throughout these days, Bolsonaro will be honored with the title of Cidadão Honorário in Belo Horizonte and will attend a PL state meeting. Caiado plans a press conference and meetings in Muriaé and Governador Valadares, where he will also partake in a PSD regional event. While Zema’s detailed agenda remains undisclosed, he aligns politically with Caiado through their parties’ alliance.
Bolsonaro's campaign faces challenges solidifying a platform in Minas Gerais. The PL seeks to support Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos), who currently leads gubernatorial polls, aiming to secure a vice-presidential spot, pending Bolsonaro's official candidacy announcement.
On the opposing side, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) struggles to define a gubernatorial candidate for Minas Gerais after Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSB) declined the race. PT is exploring partnerships or internal nominations, considering figures such as former Belo Horizonte mayor Alexandre Kalil and ex-UFMG rector Sandra Goulart.
This dynamic campaign week in Minas Gerais highlights the critical role of agribusiness in shaping electoral strategies for the 2026 presidential race.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
