Politics · Brazil · 6 hrs ago
Janones praises Minas Gerais governor-elect Cleitinho
Federal deputy André Janones praised Cleitinho Azevedo, the governor-elect of Minas Gerais, in a television interview.
Janones said he considers Cleitinho a friend despite their political differences.
Cleitinho has said he wants to ease political divisions and govern for both the left and the right.
During the election, Cleitinho campaigned for Flávio Bolsonaro, while analyst Edilene Lopes said Janones’s online mobilisation helped bring more voters to the polls and contributed to Lula overtaking Bolsonaro in Minas Gerais between the two rounds.
Cleitinho has not said whether he will contact Lula after the election, and Lopes described his silence as a strategy while Bolsonaro supporters remain politically active.
Lopes expects Cleitinho to resume contact with Lula next year or later in the year, as he promised during his campaign.
Federal deputy André Janones praised Minas Gerais governor-elect Cleitinho Azevedo, saying he “speaks the language of the people.”
Janones said that although they are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, he considers Cleitinho a friend.
Janones said Cleitinho was seeking to promote national pacification and that he expects him to govern well for the people of Minas Gerais.
CNN Brasil analyst Edilene Lopes said Janones’s praise was a positive signal to Cleitinho’s future government.
Lopes said Cleitinho had not yet commented on contacting or meeting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after the election.
- Who
- Federal deputy André Janones praised governor-elect Cleitinho Azevedo.
- What
- Janones said Cleitinho “speaks the language of the people” and expressed confidence in his future administration.
- When
- In an interview with Rede Globo, reported on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Why
- Janones said Cleitinho was seeking to promote the pacification needed to overcome political polarisation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cleitinho said he wanted to promote pacification and govern for both the left and the right.
Lula overtook Flávio Bolsonaro in Minas Gerais, a shift Lopes described as rare.
Cleitinho had not yet commented on contacting or meeting Lula.
CNN Brasil reported Janones’s praise of Cleitinho in an interview with Rede Globo.
- Janones
- Federal deputy from Minas Gerais
- Cleitinho Azevedo
- Governor-elect of Minas Gerais; member of the Republicans
- Interview outlet
- Rede Globo
- Publication
- CNN Brasil, November 2, 2026
- Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro
- Lula overtook Flávio Bolsonaro in Minas Gerais between the first and second rounds
What people are saying
speaks the language of the people
He said he wanted pacification and that, if elected, he would govern for both the left and the right