The main target of the dispute between the right-wing candidates for the government of Minas Gerais in 2026, the Liberal Party has in recent weeks been getting closer to the deputy governor of Minas Gerais, Mateus Simões (PSD).
The reference is made through the leaders of the main party in the state, who were previously closer to Senator Cletinho Azevedo (Republicans), but today are present in videos and celebrations with Vice President Romeo Zema (Novo).
The negotiations are credited in Hizb ut-Tahrir’s favor in favor of its seat of 87 federal MPs, which guarantees one of the longest hours on television next year, and federal MP Nicolas Ferreira, who received the most votes in the country in 2022 and should run for re-election.
But the party seeks to ensure its presence on a competitive list to elect at least one name to the Senate, in addition to expanding its presence in the Council.
Amid uncertainty on the left surrounding a run for government in Minas Gerais, Simoes and Cletinho have emerged as potential candidates in 2026.
The former is expected to take over the administration of the country in April, when Zima intends to leave office in preparation for the presidential race.
Klitinho, who currently leads polls on voting intentions for governor, said he will make a decision on the nomination next year.
At this stage, the Liberal Party was more closely linked to the Republican ticket, as its deputy admitted in a letter to allies, but recent moves by party leaders indicate a rapprochement with Simões’ candidacy.
The deputy governor posts videos on his social media alongside Nicholas.
In one of them, Simoes cites requests sent by the parliamentarian for works in the inner cities, which he says the government will fulfill. In another clip, they appear side by side to announce the allocation of an adjustment of R$ 1 million from the MP for the shooting range of a unit of the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE).
Nicolas, who is often cited as a potential candidate for the Minas government, has indicated that he will not run for the position. In the state agenda last Friday (28), it was stated that his final administration would be at risk if President Lula (PT) was re-elected.
“I have to think like my enemy,” the MP said. “What would I most like Nicholas to be? Maybe he would be governor, right? I lose my judicial power, and I could carry the public ministry on my back, unfairly. What if it were not for (the president)? Do you think the presidency would allow me to run the state the way it needs?”
In Minas Gerais PL, the goal is for Nicholas, considered a voting phenomenon, to run again for the chamber to help elect larger party seats in the state.
The party is also seeking to ensure its formation to launch at least one Senate candidacy.
Today, the main names for this vacancy are state representative Cristiano Caporezzo, Belo Horizonte councilor Feli Santos, and federal representatives Eros Biondini and Domingos Savio, who is the state president of the party.
Savio stated that these statements are in the background, and that the party’s priority is to approve a draft amnesty for those convicted of those involved in the events of January 8, which is being processed in the House of Representatives.
But he said that he had conducted a dialogue with potential candidates and considered an alliance with other parties essential for the right to win elections in the state next year.
“Hizb ut-Tahrir has a party structure, struggle, seats for representatives and mayors, which provides the necessary conditions to launch a candidate for governor and two for the Senate, which is different from a party that has no alternative. But we want to win the elections, and the coalition is necessary (for that),” Savio said.
His electoral base for state leader is in Divinopolis, in central-west Minas Gerais, the same city as Clitinho.
At a recent event held by the Zima government in the municipality to inaugurate a gas pipeline, Savio was present, but the absence of Mayor Gledson Azevedo (Novo), Cletinho’s twin brother and mayor of Divinopolis, attracted attention.
Glaidson is being treated as Novo’s main bet to win a seat in the House of Representatives, but a rift between his brother and Simoes could make his candidacy untenable. State Rep. Eduardo Azevedo (PL), the firstborn of the family, participated in the ceremony.
Clitinho’s candidacy, previously assessed as more likely by actors in Minas Gerais state politics, is now being treated as more remote.
Factors in this change in atmosphere include the senator’s indecision to run for executive office and the investigations surrounding his ally, Republican state Chairman Euclides Petersen, regarding unauthorized deductions on National Social Security Institute pensions. He denies any wrongdoing and says he is available to authorities.