Brasil

December 24th, 2021

VOLVER

1. Congress approves 2022 federal budget

On Tuesday (12/21), Brazil’s National Congress approved the 2022 federal budget. The bill will now have to be approved by the President.

The bill projects that the government will spend R$ 4.82 trillion next year, of which R$1.88 trillion will be allocated to refinance public debt. The new budget also increases funds for education earlier than predicted and includes R$ 2 billion for executive branch salary increases.

Additionally, the budget set the electoral fund at R$ 4.934 billion and the minimum wage at R$ 1,210 per month beginning next year. To pay for Auxílio Brazil, the federal budget will allocate R$ 89 billion, totally R$ 400 for each registered family.

Some congresspersons and members of the public have criticized the budget because the amount allocated for public policies – R$ 44 billion – is the smallest yet. Critics also say this amount is poorly distributed, prioritizing national security and defense instead of health and education.

Agência Brasil: Câmara aprova Orçamento para 2022
Estadão: Orçamento ‘enxuga’ verba social e privilegia projetos eleitorais
CNN: Congresso aprova Orçamento 2022 com R$ 4,9 bi para fundo eleitoral

2. ANVISA receives threats after authorizing vaccines for children

After authorizing the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, directors at the National Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) received a number of online threats.

ANVISA employees tracked the messages and sent them to the Federal Police, who have opened an investigation. On Tuesday (12/21), an executive was accused of making threats and promoting a virtual attack against ANVISA directors.

At the beginning of the week, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said that he did not see a problem with publicizing the names of technicians who approved the vaccine for children. A few days before, President Jair Bolsonaro asked for the same names “off the record”.

FSP: Anvisa recebe ameaças com ‘último aviso’, ‘comunistinha’ e ‘traíra’
O Globo: MPF denuncia empresário por crime de ameaça após ataques contra Anvisa
G1: PF abre inquérito para apurar ameaças a integrantes da Anvisa
O Globo: Anvisa recebe ‘último aviso’ como ameaça após liberação de vacina contra covid para crianças

3. Poll shows that 41% of Brazilians do not approve of Congress

A poll by Datafolha Institute published on Tuesday (12/21) reveals that 41% of Brazilians do not approve of the National Congress’ work. According to the poll, only 10% of Brazilians actually approve of Congress, the lowest rate ever registered for current members, who have been in power since 2019.

The poll also revealed that Congressional approval rates are higher among those who think that President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration is great or good. People who think the administration is bad or awful, have a higher level of education, and the wealthy, are more likely to perceive Congress as bad or awful.

Of the people interviewed, 45% considered Congress’ work to be average and 4% of Brazilians did not answer. Datafolha interviewed 3,666 people from December 13 to the 16th. The margin of error was two percentage points.

Isto É Dinheiro: Aprovação do Congresso é de 10%; reprovação chega a 45%
G1: Datafolha diz que 41% reprovam atuação do Congresso. Apenas 10% aprovam
FSP: Só 10% aprovam atuação do Congresso, índice mais baixo da legislatura

4. Lula and Alckmin discuss possible ticket for 2022

Former president Lula (PT) and former São Paulo state governor Geraldo Alckmin (no party) met at a dinner party in São Paulo on Sunday (12/19). The event was organized by Prerrogativas – a group consisting of lawyers, artists, and judges – and set the groundwork for a possible joint 2022 presidential ticket. However, some issues still need to be worked out between the parties and their supporters.

The first obstacle is finding Alckmin a new party after he left PSDB. Speaking with allies, Lula discussed the possibility of Alckmin joining PSD – Gilberto Kassab’s party. However, this would affect a national alliance and the race for governorship of São Paulo.

Behind the scenes, former São Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad (PT) and former state governor Márcio França (PSB) have been pushing for Alckmin to join PSB. In an interview, Alckmin said he is still considering possible alliances. “Now it is time to listen and talk a lot. It is time for political superiority, for the public spirit. Let’s wait,” he said.

G1: Lula e Alckmin se encontram em jantar em São Paulo
FSP: Jantar mostra avanço na chapa Lula/Alckmin, mas também expõe arestas
O Globo: Durante jantar em SP, Alckmin fala em ‘união’ e Lula diz que ‘não importa se fomos adversários’

5. ANAC approves rules for auctioning 16 airports, including Congonhas 

On Tuesday (12/21), Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) approved auctioning the administration of 16 airports to the private sector. The documents will be analyzed by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).

If TCU approves the texts and contracts, the 7th round of auctions is planned for the first half of 2022. Concessions will cover 39.2 million departures and arrivals, representing 26% of Brazil’s 2019 passengers. This could produce R$ 8.6 billion in private investment in the next 30 years.

The auctioned airports were divided into three groups. The first includes nine airfields in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Pará, including Congonhas and Campo de Marte (both in São Paulo). The minimum bid is R$ 525.2 million.

The second group includes Santos Dumont and Jacarepaguá (RJ) as well as airports in Montes Claros, Uberaba, and Uberlândia (MG). The minimum bid in this group is R$ 324 million. The third group includes airports in Belém and Macapá with a minimum bid of R$ 56.6 million.

Valor Econômico: Anac aprova edital de concessão de aeroportos de SP e do Rio
CNN: Anac aprova edital para leilão de Congonhas e Santos Dumont
Agência Brasil: Anac aprova minutas de edital para leilões de 16 aeroportos