Haddad reevaluates schedule of economic announcements after attacks in Brasilia

The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, is re-discussing with the Civil House the schedule of the government’s first economic measures after the attention of the political world was captured by the attacks on the Three Powers in Brasília, with a risk of postponing the first actions planned by the economic team, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Pressured to present concrete actions and assessments on the country’s fiscal situation, Haddad predicted that the first disclosures would take place this week. With conversations still preliminary in view of the new scenario, the plan may change.

“It is possible that there will be some delay in disclosure. The situation is very complicated,” said one of the sources, on condition of anonymity.

Another interlocutor from the folder said that the agenda for the week could change, with a possible postponement of the first measures.

Haddad would also close with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva the list of actions to be implemented. The lines of action include the reassessment of federal revenues for 2023 and measures to expand revenue and cut expenses.

Among the measures studied are an extraordinary incentive to reduce litigation at the Carf (Administration Council for Tax Resources) and the reassessment of tax exemptions implemented by the Jair Bolsonaro government.

The minister also asked for priority to be given to studies of structural reforms, such as tax and fiscal reforms, but these initiatives already had a longer period to be put into practice. Until last week, Haddad predicted a debate on the issues in the first three months of the government and the effective start of analysis by Congress from April.

After radical supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro invaded and destroyed the Planalto Palace, the National Congress and the Federal Supreme Court on Sunday, Haddad is personally participating in emergency meetings with President Lula and representatives of other powers.

Two other sources in the economic area say that the work of the technical staff of the Ministry of Finance continues to take place normally. While one of them says the presentation of the actions will still depend on Haddad and Lula’s decision, the other says he hopes that the schedule will not be affected by recent events.

In another area of ​​the economic team that will be impacted by the actions of bolsonaristas, the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services is responsible for the secretariat that manages the Union’s assets. Therefore, the portfolio must accompany the survey of the damage caused by the protesters and the elaboration of the plan to recover the buildings.

This Monday (9), the Minister of Management, Esther Dweck, was among the names that would participate in a seminar on economics at the University of Brasília. Participation was cancelled.