Secretary states that the Ministry of Finance will take stock of the approved measures and that the government has met the 2024 target
The Secretary of the National Treasury, Rogério Ceron, said this Wednesday (22 January 2025) that the government (PT) will “additional measures” for public accounts “if you have to do”.
Ceron declared that the federal government “fulfilled” the 2024 targets, in a way very close to the center of the fiscal target, which is to eliminate the primary deficit in public accounts. He stated that the economic team achieved its objective “despite all the distrust that existed”.
“And now, for 2025, the commitment is the same: redo the balance and continue working. If you have to take additional measures, you have to do so to be able to comply and take the necessary actions so that we can actually achieve the goal”he stated.
Ceron gave an interview to radio gaúcha Zero Hour this Wednesday (January 22, 2025). Some proposals sent by the federal government to Congress were not approved, such as the one that limits the and the one that changes the .
The secretary declared that the regulation of super salaries is an issue that the country needs to face. “There are issues that go beyond the tax issue, even for the issue of moralization, it is important to have clear rules with limits”these.
Asked about the need for new proposals to balance public accounts, Ceron replied: “We are now taking stock of the measures that have been approved and have had changes to check whether there is still a need for any additional measures to meet the year’s goals”.
The projects already approved public expenditure on the BPC (Continuous Payment Benefit) and a ceiling for the increase in the minimum wage.
STATE DEBTS
Ceron was asked about the State debt renegotiation law, Propag (Program for Full Payment of State Debt). The potential impact is from 2025 to 2029, according to calculations by the Ministry of Finance.
Entities will have debt reduction with the Union if:
- there is extraordinary amortization of outstanding balances, such as transfer of assets;
- commitment to invest public resources in secondary education; and
- contributions to the federative equalization fund.
According to the secretary, Rio Grande do Sul could, from 2027 to 2035, save R$45 billion in installments that the State will no longer pay to the federal government. On the other hand, it will have a net contribution (balance of contributions and receipts) to the federative equalization fund.
“It will give more or less R$27 billion or R$28 billion in savings in installments. That’s it, it’s a brutal economy […] On the other hand, the debt stock, if you continue in the Fiscal Recovery Regime and do not join Propag, in 2035, the debt will be around R$140 billion. If you join Propag, it will cost R$112 billion”said the Treasury Secretary.
President Lula sanctioned the project with vetoes that displeased governors, especially that of Rio Grande do Sul, (PSDB), which caused damage “unacceptable”, and from Minas Gerais, (Novo), which had a meeting with the Minister of Finance, , on the subject.
Ceron defended the federal government’s veto: “Rio Grande do Sul doesn’t lose. The approved and sanctioned project is extremely beneficial for all States, especially Rio Grande do Sul”.
According to the Treasury Secretary, the federal government has always been open to dialogue and has a great relationship with Governor Eduardo Leite. “The statements and conclusions were externalized by the government of Rio Grande do Sul without any consultation with the federal government and the National Treasury. This unfortunately generates truncated communication to the population and completely unnecessary controversies.”he declared.
Ceron also said that the government of Rio Grande do Sul will be fully “preserved” in relation to debt suspension and charges until 2027. “With Propag, you will have substantial savings on interest and debt over time”these. “Nothing changes in relation to the suspension of debt resulting from the catastrophe that happened in Rio Grande do Sul this year and the suspension of payments until 2027”he completed.
The secretary said that the State will have R$14 billion at the governor’s disposal, regardless of membership in Propag. Furthermore, contributions to the federal equalization fund will not be mandatory until 2027, due to the debt suspension being in effect.
“What changes [a partir de 2027], [o Rio Grande do Sul] can remain in the Tax Recovery Regime and the interest rate is IPCA (Broad National Consumer Price Index) plus 4% per year or you can opt for Propag, which has several options, and in the most beneficial option the interest rate is 0%”, Ceron said.
To reach 0%, Rio Grande do Sul will have to make a contribution to the federal equalization fund and allocate resources to secondary education.
