Discussion on the new fiscal framework, tax reform and revitalization of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will be priorities for the economic team in the first year of government, said the future finance minister, Fernando Haddad. Shortly after being confirmed to the post, he granted a quick interview to journalists.
The minister said he had some names in mind for the economic team, but that he would only start making invitations now, after being confirmed for the position. On preparing to take over the Ministry of Finance, Haddad informed that the City Hall of São Paulo gained investment grade (good payer seal) during his term.
“Just look at the history and see that the City of São Paulo received investment grade [grau de investimento], for the first time during my tenure. Anyone who doesn’t look at the history falls into fake news,” said Haddad, before leaving the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB).
Regarding the discussion on the new fiscal framework, the future minister said that the new government is obliged to define a substitute for the spending cap rule after the approval, by the Senate, of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) of the Transition??
“THE [versão atual] of the PEC gives a deadline for us to do that”, said Haddad. The text approved in the Senate establishes until August of next year for the future government to submit a new fiscal rule through a supplementary bill.
The new minister said that the economic team will be “plural” and that it will be combined with the Ministry of Planning, a portfolio to be recreated and whose head has not yet been announced. “I need to agree with the Minister of Planning, to have a cohesive team”, he said.
Haddad promised to grant an interview next Tuesday (13). Yesterday (8), the new Minister of Finance met for the first time with the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes. The meeting took place outside the official agenda and was only confirmed after the end of the meeting.
