Afif: Country is experiencing a political crisis with effects on the economy.
The Minister-Chief of the Secretariat for Microenterprises, Guilherme Afif Domingos, is betting on calming the heightened emotions that gave rise to the political crisis in the country; he stated that he does not believe that the movements calling for the removal of President Dilma Rousseff will be successful because the "forces are weak" and that only she, institutionally elected, can lead Brazil to a "great change" in 2018, which in his opinion will culminate in a "profound renewal"; "This depressing spectacle, which is this political squabble that is happening. One pulling the rug out from under the other, denying their own convictions, just to screw them over, this will affect society. They still think that the movement on the 16th will consecrate [this process]. It won't happen," he said.
Paulo Victor Chagas – Reporter for Agência Brasil
The Minister-Chief of the Secretariat for Microenterprises, Guilherme Afif Domingos, said he perceives a trend of calming down amidst the heightened emotions that fueled the political crisis in the country, which is causing undesirable repercussions in the economy. He stated that he does not believe that the movements calling for the removal of President Dilma Rousseff will be successful because the "forces are weak" and that only she, institutionally elected, can lead Brazil to a "major change" in 2018, which in his opinion will culminate in a "profound renewal".
In an interview with the program Espaço Público, on TV Brasil, the minister answered journalists' questions about the PT-PSDB duality. “This depressing spectacle, this political squabble that's happening. One pulling the rug out from under the other, denying their own convictions, just to screw them over, this will affect society. They still think that the movement on the 16th will consecrate [this process]. It won't happen,” he said, referring to the protests against the federal government scheduled in several Brazilian cities for next Sunday.
"Nothing will happen, they won't overthrow Dilma because I think the forces are weak. In other words, when you look at who will replace her, it's better to leave her there. Today this conclusion is clear. She is institutionally elected. Whether she likes it or not, she is a pillar," he said.
For Afif Domingos, the country is still experiencing the “height of the inflammation,” and in dialogue with the Chamber of Deputies, bridges will still emerge to prevent a rupture. “We are living through a political crisis with repercussions on the economy, and which logically feed off each other.” According to the minister, the economic crisis is worsening due to the lack of a political solution. “Everyone today says the problem is political, because the economic one has a solution. You just have to take the necessary measures.”
When asked about potential candidates to build these bridges, Afif Domingos avoided mentioning specific individuals, but said it would involve a group from all parties. "The PSDB itself is realizing it's losing ground by denying its purpose and origins. Therefore, I think common sense will prevail."
According to the minister, the president is characterized by being distant from the "PT drama." "The PT is experiencing a great drama of party crisis, of which she is not an integral part. The PT will have to lick its wounds and endure its crisis, and let it do so because it is an important party in the history of Brazil. She [Dilma] is the ideal figure [to lead this process], because she is also not a candidate for anything. What future does she desire? She has no project, no political ambition," he said.
Uber
The minister also argued that the government should not immediately regulate services that are currently being offered through the internet, such as the Uber app, which offers paid transportation, and the Airbnb website, which encourages the rental of properties.
According to the minister, sometimes it's better to "deregulate" and let these processes occur freely so they can function. "We have to let it happen, let it be free because freedom comes from creativity. Today we need creative things, especially in the digital world where it's the data that travels, not the people."
“I think Uber is a fundamental tool, and I wouldn’t want any government or administrator to try to regulate it, even to see what will happen in terms of market adjustments. Because I think this will lead to an improvement in the taxi system in Brazil. If you are facing competition, you have to improve, you have to perhaps deregulate, reduce the tax burden on taxi drivers so that they can compete with a system that is efficient. Therefore, any intervention ends up being harmful,” he said.
The program Espaço Público airs every Tuesday at 22 PM on TV Brasil. It is presented by journalists Paulo Moreira Leite and Florestan Fernandes Júnior. This Tuesday's edition featured journalist Eliane Oliveira from the newspaper O Globo.