The ministers disobey Lula’s order and do not intensify their trips to the country

The ministers of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government have not complied with the president’s order and have not stepped up the frequency of trips to Brazil. The petist’s “rebuke” at the June 15 ministerial meeting had no effect in the 30 days following the meeting. The presence of portfolio leaders in the States was less than in the previous four weeks on the agenda.

At the meeting, Lula urged ministers to travel more to the country, arguing that portfolio managers should have direct contact with the needs of Brazilians. “I want more ministers to travel. The more ministers travel, the more the government will be there living the reality that the Brazilian people are experiencing and trying to do everything to meet their needs. This is the government from now on,” he said the live president promoted by his management.

Investigation of Stadium, based on ministerial agendas available on the Union Comptroller General’s (CGU) website, attested that the PT charge was not sufficient to impact the ministerial travel flow. The report analyzes the commitments of 35 of the 37 government ministers, excluding the heads of the CGU and the Union Attorney General (AGU) for the characteristics of the portfolios.

In the 30 days since the meeting, the trend has remained below the frequency of travel in the four weeks preceding the meeting of government officials.

During the period under analysis, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Family Farming, Paulo Teixeira, did not travel to the country. According to the press office, he fulfilled other commitments in Brasilia and in Italy, where he attended a global agri-food event last week. Next week, according to the team, Teixeira will travel through the northeastern region to present the new cultivation plan.

The Prime Minister of the Institutional Security Office (GSI), General Marcos Antônio Amaro dos Santos, has also not traveled in the past 30 days. The ministry he commands focuses on, among other responsibilities, the safety of the president and vice president, as well as their families and government buildings.

Planning and Budget Minister Simone Tebet traveled more after Lula’s complaint. Tebet made 13 trips to 12 states. Most of the commitments had as their objective the presentation of the Pluriannual Participatory Planning (PPA), a planning tool for the destination of the government’s public resources.

The ministers increase their presence in the South

While not increasing the number of trips, the ministers spread more around the country than in the weeks preceding the meeting. The first half of US appointments were concentrated in the Southeast Region, with little frequency in other regions such as the Midwest, North, and South. Over the past 30 days, department heads have reduced their presence in the Southeast while increasing the number of travel to other parts of Brazil.

From Lula’s inauguration until the eve of the ministerial meeting, 494 agendas were registered in the States, 246 in the Southeast (49.8% of the total). The Northeast, electoral stronghold of the PT, received 162 nominations (32.8%). Another 36 ministerial visits were to the North (7.28%); 28, in the South (5.67%); and 22, in the Midwest (4.45%).

From 16 June to last Friday, the 14th, 133 appointments were made. The Southeast and the Northeast continue to be the most visited regions, with 50 (37.6%) and 28 (21.1%) of the total trips, however with a lower percentage than that presented before the ministerial meeting. The frequency of trips to the South represented 20.3% of the total visits (27 trips). The North and Midwest also became the busiest countries, accounting for 12.8% (17 trips) and 8.3% (11) respectively of total engagements.

According to the political scientist of the Federal District University Center (UDF), André Rosa, the dispersion of ministerial agendas in the country could represent Lula’s strategy for next year’s municipal elections, in which the PT aims to increase the number of prefectures . “The party lost many cities in the 2020 election and now has to chase the damages,” he said.

The focus on the South Region, according to Rosa, represents Lula’s electoral ambition to increase his presence in strongholds less connected to PTism. In the second round of last year’s elections, former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) beat the current Chief Executive by 58.9% against 41.1% of valid votes. “It’s a strategy already aimed at boosting popularity in the most hostile regions.”

Increased expenses is a point of attention

For Tiago Valenciano, a political scientist at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), ministerial trips help Planalto reduce the impression that government debates are centered in Brasilia. “Lula wants to keep the power spread, not let other people occupy these spaces,” he said.

“By carrying out these decentralization efforts, the government manages to show its presence in other areas of the country. Therefore, in the regional effect, travel is very positive and important for the government’s public image,” analyzed Valenciano.

André Rosa believes that the current period, however, is not the most recommended for the marathons requested by Lula. “It is not yet the time to show the results because this result has not yet occurred. The mandate is still starting, with seven months. The ministers must be at the Esplanada dos Ministérios,” he said.

Another warning point with the increase in travel is the same growth in government spending. For the political scientist, travel must be done in a streamlined way, with few members in the entourage and giving priority to strategic meetings. According to him, a large number of state commitments for the inauguration of works and other symbolic events are not a good way to manage public money.

«The exaggerated amount of travel by ministers using public financial resources is something that goes completely against ethics in politics. Of course, there are strategic trips, which are really necessary and important. Now, traveling to inaugurate a work, for more symbolic reasons, is a waste of public resources,” she explained.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.