Zema defends 'privatizing everything', pension reform and review of social programs

"The idea is to privatize everything, there is no sacred cow. With transparency, these companies will increase in value when the president, a competent businessman, is elected," Zema told journalists in Brasília, after the Novo national convention that confirmed his candidacy.

He avoided saying who his Finance Minister will be if he assumes the Presidency. According to Zema, "more than names, there are proposals." "Good names, names that will solve Brazil's problems and not fill up secretariats," he said.

Zema also defends a new pension reform and administrative reform. "There is an administrative reform that we will need to carry out. We will need to review the Social Security reform. Life expectancy has increased. The accounts are not closing. An unpopular agenda, but necessary. And we will also review social programs, which have a lot of fraud", he said.

Impeachment of STF ministers

The candidate also said that he supports the impeachment of the ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes, Dias Toffoli and Gilmar Mendes.

"We have two ministers involved up to their necks in the criminal banker, and a third, not so much, but involved in sponsoring legal congresses," Zema told journalists, after the Novo national convention that confirmed his candidacy.

Moraes and Toffoli are accused of involvement with Daniel Vorcaro, the owner of Banco Master, which was liquidated in November 2025.

Zema cited the ministers' possible relationship with Vorcaro: "It wasn't me who rode in the bandit banker's jet, it was them. It wasn't me who received the bandit banker several times, I have him in my phone book. I never even heard his voice."

The former governor of Minas Gerais once again defended changes in the Judiciary, including the end of monocratic decisions. He also said that the amendments are the "evil that affects Brazil today" and said that he will fight to combat the "cancer of corruption."

Pardon for Bolsonaro

Romeu Zema also defended a new trial for former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), but avoided saying whether, once elected, he would grant him a pardon.

"I want a fair trial," Zema told journalists in Brasília, after the Novo national convention that confirmed his candidacy for President. "There was a political judgment, we need to resolve this problem. We have to look to the future."

Zema was asked several times if he would grant a pardon to Bolsonaro, who was sentenced by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to 27 years and three months in prison for attempted coup d'état and four other crimes, but he did not respond. Presidency candidates Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) and Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) have already defended the pardon.

The former governor of Minas Gerais said, however, that it was necessary to close the matter regarding the acts of January 8th: "We have to put an end to this, and say: 'It's resolved' and let's look to the future. As long as it depends on me, it will be done", he said.

Read Also: In the 2nd round, Lula has 47% and Flávio Bolsonaro 43% and they remain technically tied, says BTG/Nexus