Exchange of accusations marks debate on TV Cidade.

Valter Lima, from Sergipe 247 - TV Cidade (+TVC) will hold the first debate between the three main candidates for governor of the State on Tuesday night (26) - Eduardo Amorim (PSC), Jackson Barreto (PMDB) and Sônia Meire (PSOL). The moderator of the meeting is journalist André Barros. 

First segment - Questions from the production team

Eduardo Amorim was the first to be questioned by the broadcaster about public service. He said he will treat civil servants with respect and seriousness. He criticized the current administration, stating that there is an excessive number of appointed positions and secretariats, which he promised to reduce. Amorim also questioned the new Career and Salary Plan. "It was done in a hurry. We will change what needs to be changed and keep what is positive," he said.

Jackson said that Amorim's comment was "very weak." "It's one thing to talk and do. It's another to only do. The laws are imposed on us. We live under the aegis of the Fiscal Responsibility Law (LRF)," he emphasized. He highlighted that the Career and Salary Plan, approved by his government, fulfilled a long-standing desire of public employees. "As governor, in the short time I've been in office, I've spoken with various groups, implemented the Career and Salary Plan, a 30-year dream," he stated.

In a questioning by the TV station, JB was asked about how to increase investments in the state's economy. He stated that the current government honored commitments made by previous administrations and maintained its debt capacity.

"We managed to increase our credit, even with a large deficit due to past governments. When you take over the state with 57% of the debt consolidated, and reduce it to 48%, it means we managed to recover the economy. We took over a state in shambles, economically speaking. But we fought to reverse this situation," said JB. In her commentary, Sônia Meire criticized the current government and defended the non-payment of debts.

In response to the broadcaster's question about Education, Sônia Meire stated that, if elected, she would invest more in the sector, giving dignity to students and teachers. In his commentary, Amorim said he would also prioritize Education and criticized the current government. In her rebuttal, Sônia said that neither Amorim nor Jackson are capable of improving Education. 

Second segment - questions between candidates

Jackson Barreto asks Amorim a question. JB talks about job growth and questions his opponent on the subject. Amorim says he will invest in youth training. "Skilled jobs are what our youth need. We will invest in technical schools to train our young people," he stated. "We want quality jobs," he emphasized.

In his commentary, JB says that Amorim "didn't answer anything" and went on to cite data on job creation in the state – more than 100 jobs. He also spoke about the creation of technical schools by the current government. "We are training young people to enter the job market."

Amorim acknowledges that Sergipe "is experiencing a good moment in job creation." "God has been generous to the state. It has attractions." But he criticizes the government. "This government has done nothing to attract companies and qualify young people," he stated. He also criticized the fact that Sergipe does not have a state university. 

Sônia Meire points out that Amorim and JB were together in the last election. She asks how he will "transform Education in Sergipe." "That's life. Sometimes we are deceived. Four years ago, I also believed in this government that is in power, but I was deceived," she states. "We have projects for Security, Health, and Education," she emphasized. "It's time to reorient, to build something new," she said.

Sônia Meire mocked Amorim's response. "So you've been deceived, because the government you served as secretary didn't improve people's lives either," she said.

Sônia now asks Jackson about Education as well. "How do you intend to make Education 100% public if you maintain privileges in the State?". JB replies: "I took over this project already underway, a heterogeneous one. I want to be governor again to start the project. While I was mayor of Aracaju, I built 23 schools, eliminated the school deficit, improved school meals, and raised salaries. I didn't have major problems with the Teachers' Union. I don't talk. I do and I work. My time as mayor of Aracaju is what I can show. I improved Education in the capital." 

Sônia Meire says JB's response "is not convincing." In his reply, the current governor states that more than R$ 200 million has been invested in the renovation of over one hundred schools. "We are doing this in all regions of the state. And we are paying the minimum wage, respecting the professionals," he reiterated.

Amorim questions the governor about the increase in violence in Sergipe. Jackson says he has invested in the sector. He states that equipment has been purchased and that he held a recruitment drive for more than 1,2 military police officers. "I'm increasing the number of officers, equipping them with new technologies, and that's how the results will come," he said.

Amorim downplays the data presented by JB. He says that homicides are growing uncontrollably in Sergipe. Jackson counters: "This government works with respect for the people. We value the military police. We invest in technology. Our intelligence police are among the best in the country."

Amorim questions Professor Sônia Meire about whether "defaulting on public debt is the solution for the State." She criticizes him: "You speak of what you don't know. What we want is to suspend the payment of interest and compensation, not the debt."

Amorim speaks of transparency and says he will transform Sergipe into the most transparent state in the country. Sônia retorts: "You cannot speak of transparency. When you were Secretary of Health, you did not act transparently and are facing legal proceedings."

JB asks Sônia about water resources. She criticizes the government's lack of more in-depth action to improve the water supply. Jackson, in his commentary, says that the current government's water use policy stands out in the construction of water pipelines.

Third segment - questions between candidates

Amorim asks Sônia Meire about healthcare. She says that healthcare is in a very negative situation. "No government in Sergipe has ever treated healthcare adequately," she says. The candidate criticizes the foundations. She states that building hospitals and clinics is not enough. Amorim, in a comment, says that he "will invest well" to improve healthcare. In her rebuttal, she states that "Amorim does not commit to public service exams and ending private contracts." 

When Jackson asked a question, he didn't ask it and instead showed two papers that, according to him, were documents from the Court of Justice, showing that he is not facing any legal proceedings, while Amorim is facing a lawsuit for misconduct from his time as state Secretary of Health.

Sônia says there is no difference between Jackson and Amorim. That they will develop similar actions. In a comment, JB states that he has made several investments in Health in the construction of hospitals. The PSOL candidate downplays this. "It's no use talking about equipment and constructions, because when the citizen needs it most, there is a lack of care," she stated.

Sônia asks JB about the foundations. He replies that he will review the entire process of creating foundations. "I see that the foundations spend a lot on support activities. I'm not saying I'm going to fire foundation employees. I think we need to better manage health resources for the core activity, which is taking care of people," he said. Sônia Meire criticizes the maintenance of contracts with private companies. 

"Yes, we will streamline the foundations. We will review all contracts to achieve what we want: good management so that resources are better allocated, providing quality care and reducing waiting lists for exams," countered Jackson Barreto. 

Amorim poses a sensationalist question, asking the governor how he views the fact that many people have died in the state due to lack of cancer treatment. JB retorts: "You have no authority to demand this. You humiliated Marcelo Déda, delayed Proinveste by more than a year. You were against Pró-Redes, which was focused on Health. You only do what your brother wants, because he's the one who's in charge," he said.

Amorim does not directly respond to Jackson's accusations. He says that the government lost funds from amendments intended for the construction of the Cancer Hospital. JB retorts: "Making speeches is easy. Amendments take time to be released. The funds were only released because of Marcelo Déda's prestige. The construction is there and is already underway. But the delays we have in investments are your fault, you delayed Proinveste."

Jackson asks Amorim about urban mobility. The PSC candidate talks about roads and building new avenues. JB says he invested in mobility in Greater Aracaju. He says he will build exclusive corridors for public transportation in the region. Amorim says the current government has had eight years to accomplish things and "did nothing." "Today we have many traffic jams in the capital, but your government did nothing," says Amorim.

Sônia Meire says that Amorim cannot speak about urban mobility because his substitute, Laurinho da Bonfim, left a series of pending issues in the area. The PSC candidate says he can only answer for his own actions. When speaking about privatization, he says he will maintain investments in Banese and improve the reality of public companies. 

Fourth segment - questions from journalists

The first question is from journalist Valter Lima, from Sergipe 247, about Banese. The question is for Amorim. He denies that he will privatize the bank, stating that he will invest in improvements. Sônia Meire rebuts the PSC candidate and says that he will privatize the bank. Amorim rejects this, saying that the PSOL candidate doesn't understand what he is saying.

The second question is from journalist Antônio Carlos Garcia, Estadão's correspondent in Sergipe. The question concerns health. Jackson responds: "I'm not going to shift responsibility regarding health. We did our part. We built hospitals and clinics. Now we have to maintain the costs to better care for people." Amorim comments on the response, saying that the current administration "lacks management and commitment." "If there's one person who can't talk about health, it's Eduardo Amorim. The destruction of the health system began with him as Secretary of Health," he stated.

The third question is from journalist Eugênio Nascimento, from Jornal da Cidade, who asks about the pension deficit. The question is directed to Sônia Meire. "Pensions are a major concern for public servants," she states. Amorim agrees that the deficit in the sector is very large. He says that the solution to the problem is to "streamline the machine." Sônia rebuts Amorim. "He doesn't know how to answer the question. It's not about streamlining the machine, but about ending the corruption," she said. 

Final section - concluding remarks

Amorim concludes his participation by making final remarks. He says he will improve healthcare ("it is possible, yes") and states that he will restore peace of mind to the people of Sergipe. 

In his remarks, Jackson Barreto mocks Amorim's requests for the right of reply. "Our opponent is constantly trying to use tactics to prevent discussion of the lawsuits against him." The governor is making a reference to Marcelo Déda. "I'm here, my friend, to run the government. We will achieve victory so that Sergipe doesn't become a marketplace for deals," he reiterated.

Sônia Meire expresses her gratitude for the support of the project she is leading and states that she represents the workers and does not have the support of business owners.