The president () is the result of problems in government communication and higher inflation, in the evaluation of the governor of Piauí, Rafael Fonteles (PT).
One of the four petistas in charge of states, he argues that the way to reverse this picture is to set aside the internal disputes and focus on the minister’s economic agenda – which he sees as the strongest name on the left to 2030.
“I am convinced that we increasingly need to give credibility to the fiscal framework and try to climb the last step that is missing for the investment degree. Although this has some short -term political cost, it has a very important medium and long term gain, even on topics that directly affect current inflation and interest issues, “he said in an interview with Sheet.
The stance contrasts with that of other petist leaders, including within the government, who defend a less austere economic policy in the face of the low of popularity.
For the governor, it is normal that federal management undergoes adjustments in this second half of the term, as occurred in communication, but it is also necessary to improve the relationship with Congress. “Maybe it’s the most important step,” he points out. “If each bill becomes a huge challenge, you really end up slowing down some solutions.”
Another decisive point, he says, is the country. In order to have greater repercussion, Fonteles suggests that communication be regionalized.
“Increasingly we have to use the Lula vehicle to communicate government deliveries, important guidelines, the fake news and information that is not relevant and that are gaining some protagonism,” he says.
In his assessment, Lula’s drop in popularity occurred due to the increase in living cost, Fonteles evaluates. In 2024, the IPCA (broad consumer price index) burst the goal and was up 4.83%. For 2025, they are acceleration to 5.6%.
For the governor, who has a master’s degree in economics and has been secretary of Piauí Finance, the most important to reverse the unpopularity staff is that income and consumption of families grow at a speed than food, fuel and energy prices.
In the case of food, he says the reduction will occur with the dollar if he remains at a lower level. “The time is to look at inflation and, therefore, the reliability that the government will comply with the tax framework is fundamental,” he points out.
For this, he says, it is necessary to overcome the internal disputes, which will help in cooling the dollar, falling inflation and interest, as well as stimulating economic activity and reconquesting the investment degree.
“For everything – Income, health, education, safety – I have to have this budget stability. And I will only have it if I really have a guaranteed fiscal balance, from this credibility that the government will fulfill what what He himself proposed to do it, “he says.
The more strength Haddad has, the more chances of this, he says, and this also ensures that for $ 5,000 is compensated fully for collected measures, such as the minimum tax rate of the richest.
“This is an excellent proposal, especially being neutral from the tax point of view. It is tax justice in the vein,” he says.
Successor
With a positive view of Haddad’s performance, the governor sees the minister as the president’s natural successor when this time arrives.
“The government being successful and, for this, it has to be successful in the economic area, of course it [Haddad] It is the name that will consolidate even more nationally, “he says.
Fonteles points out that there are other potential names in the PT, but it considers relevant that Haddad had 45% of the vote in the second round in the 2018 presidential election “under very difficult conditions”.
For 2026, however, the governor wants Lula candidate. “Those who have the best alternative do not have to be, at this moment, thinking of other alternatives. This renewal will naturally happen, but now, for 2026, our candidate is President Lula,” he says.
“He is the best candidate, the most experienced, which has the most conditions, even, to make this transition to a new historical moment.”
In its assessment, the (PGR) against former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the case of the coup plot will not make the 2026 election easier to the left.
“Regardless of being Bolsonaro the candidate or someone appointed by him, the scenario is polarization. And polarized election is always difficult because it becomes a plebiscite election,” he says.
Lula, in his opinion, will still be the favorite because, as president, “he is better able to correct routes and be more present” and for already defeating Bolsonaro in 2022, even in opposition.
Charges
Sworn in two weeks ago as president of the Northeast Consortium, Fonteles says he negotiates with the National Treasury the improvement of the criteria for the states to do credit operations with the financial system.
It also criticizes inequality in distribution between the regions of development mechanisms, such as public banks, state funds and the crop plan. “This productive credit is from 10% to 11% to the Northeast, while the region’s GDP is 14% [do total do Brasil] And the population is 27%, “he says.
The governor also asks the government to anticipate to 2025 the discussion about the National Fund for Regional Development ,. This, he points out, would decrease the electoral pressures about the debate.
