A survey released on Monday (9) by the Quaest Institute shows that 48% of voters consider that the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) has exaggerated in proposals for increased taxes presented in recent months. On the other hand, 41% of respondents evaluate that the president is “doing justice” when trying to rebalance public accounts with tax measures.
The proposals are under review in the economic team led by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, as an alternative to the gradual end of the IOF collection in credit operations. The objective is to preserve the federal revenue and enable the fiscal goals.
The survey reveals a strong correlation between political positioning and perception of taxes. Among the voters who voted for Lula in the second round of 2022, 63% defend the government’s measures. Already among the voters of Jair Bolsonaro (PL), 72% consider that there is exaggeration.
The evaluation also varies according to income range. Among Brazilians who earn up to two minimum wages, 46% approve the tax proposals, against 41% that see exaggeration. Among those who receive more than five minimum wages, criticism predominates: 54% consider excessive measures and only 37% see them as fair.
The difference in perception expands between age groups. Among respondents over 60 years old, 51% approve government actions. Already among the younger ones, 16 to 34 years old, only 33% agree with the measures, while 56% evaluate that the government is going too far.
In the division by regions, the Northeast is the only one with majority favorable to proposals: 46% say Lula “does justice” while 41% disagree. In the southeast and south, criticism predominates: 51% of respondents say the government exaggerates in taxes. The southern region, by the way, records the largest negative difference (15 percentage points), with 36% favorable and 51% contrary to the measurements. In the Midwest and North, the numbers are more balanced: 40% see justice in measurements, while 48% point out exaggeration.
