Lula denies "war" with Congress: 'It's good when there's disagreement'

247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated, during an event in Rio de Janeiro this Friday (4), that there is no “war” between the federal government and the National Congress. According to him, the relationship between the Powers remains positive, even with occasional disagreements.

"I am very grateful for the relationship I have with the National Congress. So far, in these two and a half years, Congress has approved 99% of the things we have sent to Congress," said Lula, reinforcing that there is no room for "nervousness" at this point in his term.

“When there’s a disagreement, it’s good, you know why? Because we sit down at the table, we talk and resolve it. The government thinks one thing, Congress is thinking another, we’re going to resolve this at a negotiating table. I don’t want any nervousness, because I only have a year and a half left in my term,” he added.

The statement comes amid a deadlock involving the increase in IOF (Tax on Financial Operations). Earlier this Friday, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Federal Court, suspended the effects of the government's decision to raise the tax, as well as the vote in Congress that overturned the increase. He called for a conciliation hearing between the branches of government on July 15th.

The Court also gave both the Executive and Legislative branches five days to explain the reasons for their actions.