Presidential Candidate Challenges Sustainability Perception in Minas Gerais

On the recent Thursday, Romeu Zema, candidate to the presidency from the Novo party, appeared on extensive interviews with g1 and GloboNews. During his interview, Zema emphasized his economic performance as governor of Minas Gerais, highlighting a corruption-free record among other achievements. However, in the context of global macroeconomic concerns over sustainability and anti-corruption efforts, these claims have been challenged by the Fato ou Fake team from Valor Econômico. One key point of contention is Zema's statement that his government 'took off' to become the seventh largest economy in the world without any scandals, referring to its absence of corruption. However, Operation Rejeito, conducted by the Federal Police (PF) at the end of 2025, revealed a series of irregularities involving high-ranking officials and mining companies from Minas Gerais. This investigation pointed to a billion-dollar scheme that bribed public servants to issue illegitimate environmental licenses, directly affecting both the environment and the state's reputation. The rejection of this narrative by Zema poses significant challenges not only in Brazil's political landscape but also internationally regarding investment perceptions. It is now up to Zema to present a coherent version of his governance consistent with global sustainability expectations.