Fewer ministries

Brazil is currently mobilized in the debate surrounding its economy. It's time to join forces to improve and modernize the country's business environment. The situation is serious. And only the most detached disagree with the magnitude of this diagnosis.

Humility, courage, and persistence are necessary to face the challenge before us. The problem is complex and will not be solved with a single equation or simplistic views.

The National Congress, also elected, is doing its part. There is no way Parliament can avoid improving the fiscal adjustment proposed by the Executive. As it stands, the adjustment is unlikely to be accepted by Congress because it is rejected by society as a whole, and the Legislative branch is the voice of the population.

The pattern to be observed in every adjustment presented by the economic team is what we did in correcting the Income Tax table: negotiation. It's not an imposition by one side, much less a surrender by the other.

Adjustment is necessary, we all know that, but it cannot be an end in itself. It needs to be the premise of a broader plan that points to a resumption of growth, development, and prosperity. There are other paths.

It's time to reduce the size of the state. Nothing is more just than for the government to set an example during times of sacrifice for society. The higher the example, the more educational it will be.

We applaud the More Doctors program. Now it's time for a program with fewer ministries, fewer appointed positions, less waste, and less political patronage—an evil we must seize the opportunity to address. The consequence will be the professionalization of public administration and reduced spending through the elimination of politically appointed positions.

The perverse logic of increasing revenue through taxes, levies, public services, and fuel needs to be replaced by cutting the costs of the Brazilian state—including reviewing all contracts—which depends on the will to act and on concrete, daily actions.