An old political adage in Brazilian politics is that the roadmap to the presidency goes through the state of Minas Gerais. Ever since the country’s return to democracy, no one has ever won the presidential election without winning a majority of votes in Minas Gerais.
The last time that happened was in 1950 — when Getúlio Vargas was elected president.
Minas Gerais is considered a key piece in the electoral puzzle, as it has an interior makeup very similar to nationwide dynamics. In his book The Brazilian vote (The Brazilian Vote), political scientist Alberto Carlos de Almeida explains that Minas…