Pacheco suggests new war budget for reconstruction of RS

THAÍSA OLIVEIRA AND RICARDO DELLA COLETTA
BRASILIA, DF (FOLHAPRESS)

The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), suggested this Sunday (5) in Porto Alegre a new “war budget”, along the lines of what was done during the Covid-19 pandemic, for the reconstruction of Rio Grande southern.

The adoption of extraordinary fiscal measures was also highlighted by the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), and by the vice-president of the STF (Supreme Federal Court), Edson Fachin, during a meeting in the state.

Pacheco stated that, in “war” situations, there are no “limitations” or “legal restrictions in common times”. The senator spoke of seeking “exceptional and atypical solutions” and recalled the PEC (proposed amendments to the Constitution) approved during the pandemic.

“There is a need to remove bureaucracy, obstacles, limitations from the shelf and table, so that Rio Grande do Sul lacks nothing for its reconstruction. We did this during the pandemic, with great pride within the scope of the National Congress, with a proposed amendment to the Constitution that we called the PEC of War. Numerous exceptional legislative measures.”

In the same vein, Lira said she will meet with leaders to find a “tough, firm and effective response, as was the case during the pandemic”. The deputy also stated that it is necessary to count on the sensitivity of Minister Fernando Haddad, of Finance – who accompanied the group.

“I think, President Pacheco, that our responsibility this week will be one of perseverance, discussion and direction so that we can develop a completely extraordinary measure,” he said. “As with the pandemic, I think that this tragedy has and will have our attention, both in the Chamber and in the Senate.”

Pacheco, Lira and Fachin visited Rio Grande do Sul this Sunday alongside President Lula (PT), the first lady, Rosângela da Silva, 13 government ministers and the president of the TCU (Federal Audit Court), Bruno Dantas.

During the joint statement to the press, Lula promised to unblock bureaucratic obstacles to guarantee aid to Rio Grande do Sul. The PT member also stated that it is necessary to help companies in the state to ensure that people do not lose their jobs.

Minister Fachin, who should be the next president of the Supreme Court, stated that the Judiciary will be able to help resolve any doubts. Fachin said that Congress should implement “an emergency regime, like the one done during the pandemic”.

This Saturday (4), the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), stated that the state would need a “Marshall Plan”, in reference to the United States’ plan for rebuilding allied countries after the Second World War.

“Rio Grande do Sul will need a kind of Marshall Plan for reconstruction, the kind of reconstruction of post-war Europe. We will need a plan for exceptionality in processes, in resources, in absolutely extraordinary measures.”