The country’s GDP could grow between 0.8% and 1% in the first quarter of this year, according to the Minister of Finance
On Friday night (March 13, 2026), Fernando Haddad gave an interview to the program 20 Minutos, on . In the interview, the minister preferred not to give a growth estimate for the year, justifying that a forecast depends on the interest rate.
“I think we did some work to clean up the accounts. I’m not worried about fiscal targets. I think that growth, due to the way we are conducting it, especially the reforms that have been carried out, will remain. I think that the tax reform, which comes into force next year, will give an even greater boost to GDP“, he stated.
“The Brazilian economy is capable of growing between 0.8% and 1% in this first quarter. So, the mechanisms for changing credit, everything we are doing to maintain effective demand is resulting in maintenance [da economia aquecida]“, said the minister.
During the interview, the minister once again defended the need for the fiscal framework and denied that the government had tightened the budget too much.
“No [apertou a conta]because this had to be accompanied by this battle in the National Congress – which was partially successful – to restore the tax base. We lost 3% of GDP in tax base. For you to waive the tax burden, Congress approves it in 15 days, but not to restore and cut privileges in Brazil. Go to Congress to negotiate a reduction in privileges and tax relief. Each project involves weeks of negotiation”.
Departure from the ministry
next week and that he intends to run for office in the next elections, although he did not say for which position.
According to him, the initial idea was to contribute to a campaign for the re-election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, .
“I would like to be freer to be able to think, outside the Ministry, about a development plan [para o país]. That’s what I wanted to do. In these three months of talking to him [com o presidente Lula]the scenario became more complicated. The sky is less blue than I imagined at the end of last year. So, I must leave the Ministry of Finance next week”, these.
With information from
