Broad review of the regulatory machinery
Former Caixa Econômica Federal president Daniella Marques, who now coordinates the economic area of Flávio Bolsonaro's (PL) campaign, signaled that a potential government of the candidate will have as one of its hallmarks a deep review of the stock of federal rules. The proposal calls for the revocation of more than a thousand rules currently in force.
According to the former head of the state-owned bank, the intention is to reduce the weight of bureaucracy on those who produce and simplify procedures that, in her assessment, block investments and make business operations in the country more expensive.
Taxes created or increased under Haddad's tenure
Another axis announced by Daniella is the reversal of taxes that were created or had their rates increased during the period when Fernando Haddad headed the Ministry of Finance. The measure, according to her, would be part of the campaign's package of economic commitments.
The former Caixa president did not detail, in the statement, which specific taxes would be affected nor what the transition timeline would be for any changes in collection.
Three stated priorities
The agenda she presented is organized around three central guidelines:
- Cutting red tape, with the elimination of requirements considered redundant and the simplification of administrative processes;
- Reduction of privileges, focusing on benefits and perks that, according to the coordinator, distort public spending;
- Fiscal responsibility, as a condition to sustain the reduction in regulatory and tax burden without disrupting public accounts.
Profile of the coordinator
Daniella Marques led Caixa Econômica Federal during a period of strong credit expansion and social programs operated by the bank. Before that, she accumulated experience in the financial market and in public management structures.
In Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign, she is responsible for formulating economic proposals and for dialogue with business sectors.
What is at stake
The promise to revoke more than a thousand rules speaks to a recurring demand from the productive sector, which often points to legal uncertainty and excessive rules as obstacles to growth. Experts, however, usually caution that mass revocations require rigorous technical analysis, at the risk of opening gaps in sensitive areas such as health, security and the environment.
The signal to undo taxes created or increased under the previous administration tends to dominate the electoral debate, as it involves a direct impact on taxpayers' pockets and on the financing of public policies.
The degree of detail of these proposals and the feasibility of implementing them in a potential term will still depend on the evolution of the race and the composition of forces in the National Congress.