"The approval of the income tax exemption was an insincere 'yes' from many deputies," says Chico Alencar.

247 - In an interview with the program Bom Dia 247, Congressman Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ) assessed the unanimous approval of the bill that expands the income tax exemption bracket for workers earning up to R$ 5. The measure, championed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and presented by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, will benefit approximately 15 million taxpayers and passed in the Chamber of Deputies with 493 votes in favor and none against.

Chico Alencar emphasized that the result cannot be explained solely by the nature of the project, but mainly by the popular pressure exerted after the September 21st demonstrations, which challenged the so-called "PEC of shielding criminals" and exposed the wear and tear on the Chamber. "October 1st cannot be explained without September 21st. That group only functions under pressure," he stated. According to him, the tarnished image of parliament and the proximity of the elections weighed more than the deputies' conviction about tax justice. "It was an insincere 'yes' from many there. Nobody wanted to lift a finger to exempt the very rich, a year before the elections."

Commenting on the impact of the measure, the parliamentarian highlighted that the monthly gain taxpayers will have by no longer paying the tax should boost the economy. “This means that each citizen who stops paying tax can have more than R$ 400 per month for consumption, which stimulates the economy and distributes income, albeit modestly.” According to him, the compensation will come from the taxation of dividends, remittances, and capital gains, aimed at approximately 144 high-income individuals. “The wealthy in Brazil contributed much less than teachers and middle-paid civil servants. Now, with up to 10% on extraordinary gains, there will be balance.”

Despite classifying the approval as a significant victory for the Lula government and society, Chico warned that the achievement represents only a first step. “Despite the victory, this is just a small step towards a broader tax reform, which should encompass income and especially wealth.” For him, the unprecedented unanimity in the vote cannot be interpreted as a sign of lasting consensus, but as a direct effect of popular mobilization. “Congress only functions under pressure. Without the watchful eye of society, we get lost in the corridors and the still dominant, lesser interests.”

The congressman concluded that the episode shows how crucial social participation is in forcing progress on issues of public interest. “The attention of society is very important. We made progress because the people took to the streets and because there was immense wear and tear on the Chamber. Now it's about maintaining the pressure so that these achievements don't regress.” Watch: