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In the absence, until now, of a candidate for President of the Republic with the appearance of a winner, of programmatic unity, of better ideas for the country, and waiting for the fallen angel, Bolsonaro, to indicate where he will go, the right concluded that, for now, there is only one thing left to do: impose defeats on the government in the Chamber of Deputies.
This is what happened, yesterday, by 251 votes against 193, when the Chamber allowed the expiration date of the Provisional Measure issued as an alternative to the increase in the Tax on Financial Operations. The measure provided for the taxation of investment securities and retroactive charges from betting companies.
The government will suffer a negative impact of R$46.5 billion on the budget until next year – R$31.6 billion in revenue frustration and R$14.9 billion in cost containment measures, and just one week after the approval of the project that exempts those earning up to R$5,000 per month from Income Tax.
In its origins, the Provisional Measure that has now expired sought to reinforce the government’s cash flow by increasing taxation on bets and fintechs, and on some financial assets, such as Real Estate Credit Letters (LCI) and Agricultural Credit (LCA). The productive sector offered strong resistance. The Chamber surrendered to pressure.
It will be up to the government to find other sources of revenue. One of them, according to the government leader in Congress, Randolfe Rodrigues (PT-AP), is to increase the amount of resources blocked in this year’s budget, including with an impact on parliamentary amendments, which could reach R$10 billion.
Although he denies it, governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), of São Paulo, advised deputies to vote against the Provisional Measure. Enough good news for Lula, who five months ago seemed in disgrace. It recovered with Trump’s tariffs, the burial of the PEC da Bandidagem and programs with popular appeal.
A Genial/Quaest survey released yesterday showed that the approval and disapproval rates for Lula’s administration are technically tied (49% to 48%). In May, the difference between the two bands was 17 percentage points. Lula’s approval soared mainly among the richest, and in the South and Southeast of the country.
If the election were held today, Lula would beat all his possible opponents, but he is not. There is a lot of ground to be covered. And Lula is convinced that his opponent will be Tarcísio, with Michelle Bolsonaro as vice-president. Tarcísio, the good guy, promises to pardon Bolsonaro if he is elected.
All Columns from Noblat’s Blog in Metrópoles
