According to the government, even with 10%, things are getting worse.

According to columnist Tereza Cruvinel of 247, "Despite the meager 10,8% approval rating in the MDA/CNT poll released yesterday, the government believes it is getting out of a tight spot after last week's storm, which saw tensions in the streets with the protests on the 15th, and in Congress with the confrontation between the PMDB and former minister Cid Gomes." The journalist adds that some recent events are already being considered a "reversal of what may have been Dilma's worst moment since her first election in 2010." Among these are the boost to the market with the expectation of an announcement of drastic cuts in operating expenses, the improved political climate, and the president's promise to maintain dialogue.

March 24, 2015, 15:28 PMUpdated July 05, 2018, 12:05 pm

According to columnist Tereza Cruvinel of 247, "Despite the meager 10,8% approval rating in the MDA/CNT poll released yesterday, the government believes it is getting out of a tight spot after last week's storm, which saw tensions in the streets with the protests on the 15th, and in Congress with the confrontation between the PMDB and former minister Cid Gomes." The journalist adds that some recent events are already being considered a "reversal of what may have been Dilma's worst moment since her first election in 2010." Among these are the boost to the market with the expectation of an announcement of drastic cuts in operating expenses, the improved political climate, and the president's promise to maintain dialogue (Photo: Gisele Federicce).

By Tereza Cruvinel, from 247

Despite the meager 10,8% approval rating in the MDA/CNT poll released yesterday, the government believes it is getting out of a tight spot after last week's storm, which saw heated events in the streets with the protests on the 15th, and in Congress with the confrontation between the PMDB and former minister Cid Gomes. Several events were already being considered on Monday as signs of a reversal of what may have been Dilma's worst moment since her first election in 2010. Among them:

1. The announcement of a drastic cut in operating expenses, which will come this week with the budget programming decree, injected more optimism into the market and had as its first positive consequence the maintenance of Brazil's credit rating by the Standard and Poor's agency. In this regard, the Government leader, José Guimarães, says: "The adjustment is for real and the government will do its part, demonstrating that the sacrifices will not only be borne by businessmen and workers. If necessary, we will cut the coffee allowance in the ministries. The president's order is to improve management, produce results and tighten the belt."

2. The political environment has improved, with a noticeable easing of tensions in relations between the Presidential Palace and its allied base. At Monday's expanded coordination meeting, ministers representing the PMDB, PSD, and other coalition parties pledged to mobilize their respective parliamentary groups to approve fiscal measures and other projects on the government's immediate agenda.

3. President Dilma has kept her promise to engage more in dialogue with allies and has now adopted a more proactive stance, mobilizing the government to provide solutions in all sectors. For example, she has ordered the prompt preparation of calls for bids for port and airport concessions to the private sector. Lula has been helping as much as he can in guiding the party's parliamentary group in its actions. The PMDB has not given up, but is beginning to shift its opposition stance.

These are indeed refreshing signs for a government that was in flames last week. But for the PT (Workers' Party), the news is far less encouraging: Treasurer João Vacari has been officially indicted, along with former director Renato Duque. The Lava Jato task force is trying to drag Dirceu into the center of the Petrobras scandal, based on alleged but not yet formalized testimonies.