RS: Vieira defends solution for debt with the Union.

Nicolas Pasinato *
On the 21 - The renegotiation of the debt of the State of Rio Grande do Sul with the Union continues to be a central theme in the speeches of the candidates for Piratini. The PDT candidate, Vieira da Cunha, stated that he will file a lawsuit if the federal government does not resolve this issue, with the approval of the bill that changes the index for the debt of states and municipalities with the Union. The statement was given by Vieira this Wednesday (23), at Federasul, in the first meeting of a series of meetings with candidates for the State government and the Senate.

The proposal alleviates the fiscal situation of states and municipalities by reducing interest rates on debts with the federal government. Currently, the adjustment is based on the General Price Index – Internal Availability (IGP-DI) plus 6% annual interest. With the bill, the index will become the Selic rate or the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) plus 4% interest, whichever is lower. Already approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the proposal only needs a vote in the Senate plenary to proceed to presidential sanction.

He cites as an example a similar attitude to the one he took when he was president of CEEE (Companhia Estadual de Energia Elétrica) in 1993. The legal action taken by CEEE against the Union, promoted by its management, resulted in the current state government receiving R$ 3 billion. The Labor Party member criticized the current governor's stance on the matter, which he considers timid. "Holding meetings and asking for the project to be voted on is pointless. That's far too little," he assesses.

In the first debate between candidates for governor of the state, held earlier this month and promoted by Rádio Gaúcha, the candidate for re-election to the state government, Tarso Genro (PT), said that former governor Olívio Dutra had filed a lawsuit against the debt and that he was defeated in the Supreme Federal Court (STF). However, at the meeting this Wednesday at Federasul, Vieira said that this statement is false and that, in reality, Olívio withdrew the lawsuit and did not lose.

According to Vieira, the debt problem is related to what he calls the current government's "paltry investment capacity," which managed to invest only 5% of its net current revenue. "In the last Labour government, under (Alceu) Colares, 13% of revenue was invested. After 20 years, the problems, as well as the needs, have grown, and investment has fallen from 13% to 5%," he criticizes.

Research

Asked about his assessment of the Ibope/RBS survey data, released last Sunday (20), in which he appears with only 2% of voting intentions, Vieira da Cunha downplayed the result, claiming that the election campaign is still in an initial phase. Furthermore, he said he questioned the institute that carried out the latest survey and cited the 2002 elections, when then-candidate Germano Rigotto appeared in the initial phase of the campaign with only 3% of voting intentions, but ended up becoming governor of Rio Grande do Sul. “From what I have been doing with the population, I am sure that my level is not that,” he says.

Candidate for president of the republic

The candidate was also asked about a possible awkward situation due to his party, at the national level, supporting the reelection candidate Dilma Rousseff (PT), which is not the case in Rio Grande do Sul. According to him, in a party meeting, it was decided that, in this year's elections, the party whose state had its own candidate would not need to have the same national position.

When asked who he will support, he promised to reveal his vote throughout the electoral process, but said he has not yet decided who he will support. "I intend to learn more about the proposals. My decision will be influenced by the commitments the candidates will make regarding the federal relationship between the Union and the State," he said.

Vieira, however, ruled out campaigning for the PT candidate. “I don’t support President Dilma. I believe the PT cycle has ended, and it will be beneficial for political power if there are changes both in Rio Grande do Sul and at the federal level,” he said. He also mentioned that he had committed to campaigning for two presidential candidates representing parties in his coalition: Pastor Everaldo (PSC) and Eduardo Jorge (PV).

At lunch

In his speech to business leaders, Vieira pledged not to raise taxes, a formula he believes solves problems initially but not in the long term. Regarding infrastructure, the candidate stated that his proposal involves investing in public-private partnerships to facilitate the efficient distribution of goods and services. He emphasized that the adopted model will be the result of dialogue and the development of a technical tender. "The candidate committed to participating in a national movement demanding the renegotiation of state debt with the federal government."

Among the Labor Party's campaign promises are increased investments in health and public safety, as well as education with the implementation of new full-time schools and the payment of the national minimum wage for teachers. "We know the difficulty of complying with the teachers' minimum wage law and we understand that the solution is for the State to receive a supplement from the Federal Government to make this possible," the candidate suggested.

Next Wednesday (30) it will be the turn of the candidate for governor of the State, senator Ana Amélia Lemos. On August 6th, Tarso Genro and the following Wednesday (August 13th), José Ivo Sartori. Following that, four candidates for the Federal Senate: – Olívio Dutra (August 20th); Lasier Martins (August 27th); Simone Leite (September 3rd) and Beto Albuquerque (September 10th).

* With information from the Federasul Press Office