Former President of the Chamber of Deputies Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ) said on Tuesday (23) that Brazil needs a president who does not use the Budget as "currency" to obtain political support in the National Congress. Maia's statement took place during a business sector event in São Paulo, where he also criticized the way the federal government has been conducting its relationship with the Legislative branch.
Maia stated that the country needs someone who respects the autonomy of the Legislative Power and who does not use the release of budget amendments or budget execution as tools for political bargaining. According to him, this practice compromises the quality of democracy and weakens institutions, in addition to generating distrust in society.
The former president of the Chamber of Deputies also defended that the next head of the Executive branch should have the capacity to dialogue with all segments of Congress, without needing to resort to negotiations based on public resources. For Maia, a legitimate government is one that manages to pass its proposals through persuasion and argumentation, and not through exchanges of favors.
The event was attended by representatives from various economic sectors and took place at a time when discussions about the 2022 presidential elections are intensifying. Maia did not directly comment on possible candidates, but emphasized the need for Brazil to have a leadership that prioritizes the strengthening of democracy.
