Romeu Zema, a presidential hopeful from the Novo party and former governor of Minas Gerais, has criticized Brasília's political and judicial elite through satirical videos.
Zema is positioning himself as a challenger to the established power structures in Brazil's capital. By targeting the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and high-ranking politicians, he is attempting to mobilize voters around the concept of systemic privilege before the upcoming elections.
Zema released the fifth episode [1] of a satirical video series titled “Os Intocáveis” (The Untouchables) on April 25, 2026 [2]. The content targets ministers of the STF and politicians whom Zema describes as possessing excessive power and privileges.
In an interview with Jovem Pan News on April 25, Zema said that the political choice for the country must be between these "untouchables" and the "good Brazilians."
Zema has compared the current political climate to the Inconfidência Mineira, a historic independence movement in Minas Gerais. He said the "untouchables" are like that movement, serving as a symbol of power that needs to be questioned [3]. He has further compared the ministers of the STF to the Portuguese crown [4].
Other political figures have reacted to the strategy. Tarcísio de Freitas said he finds amusement in the use of caricatures within politics [5].
Zema maintains that the upcoming elections represent the primary opportunity to change the current scenario where a small group of officials exercises disproportionate power [3, 4].
““Política deve escolher entre 'intocáveis' e brasileiros de bem””
Zema's use of satire and historical analogies serves to frame the upcoming presidential election not just as a contest between candidates, but as a populist struggle against the judicial and legislative establishment. By labeling the STF and Brasília's elite as 'untouchables,' he is tapping into existing tensions regarding judicial overreach and political privilege in Brazil, signaling a campaign strategy focused on institutional disruption.
