João Doria is the man-of-the-hour
in São Paulo. With a diverse background ranging from businessman to lecturer
and journalist, the current Mayor of São Paulo symbolizes the "one man
show" of Brazilian politics.
His possible candidacy for the
2018 presidential elections is leaving the left wingparties and their political
party cronies with mixed feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Anyone who
thought that his career in politics would be insipid and brief was mislead. He
has labelled Lula da Silva as the main political target, knowing that if he
succeeds in overcoming this myth, his path to the presidency will be easier.
Dubbed by many as the "show
Mayor," Doria has already created a brand of power, it is always on the
move and its frenetic pace aims to break the inertia of the public sector.
Recently he gave an interview
where his perspective was clear on many subjects, specially in this troubled times
for Brazil. Contrary to what some have suggested, it advocates gradual and
balanced solutions for the Brazilian economy.
The main doctrine supported by
Doria concerns the State. Accordin too him the State is too "fat" in
Brazil. It can and should be considerably smaller. A smaller state will be more
focused, more efficient, and provide better services being less vulnerable to
corruption.
The road to privatization then
goes through a privatization program for the country. The city of São Paulo has
been able to overcome a good part of its deficit very much in the account of
private companies; Although Doria doesn’t hesitate pointing out that in cases
like Petrobras and Banco do Brasil the privatization process must be progressivel.
Only some of the activities of these companies can be put into the hands of the
private sector, yet without undermining their structures and also guaranteeing the
workers’ employability
The Mayor of São Paulo has some
restrainhing position on this sectors, yet he he upholds the Federal Government
to advance more quickly in the privatization program.
Regarding the economic policy
of Michel Temer’ Government, Doria despite being a supporter of more aggressive
policies, understands to a certain extent some slowness and caution of the
current executive due to political instability. He attributes the prolonged
recession and timidity of the economic recovery to the decisions taken by the leftist
governments, specially Dilma Rousseff, although the country is already on an
upward path. However, he is rejoicing over the recently approved labor reform,
and stresses out that without the welfare state reform (to deal with the high
deficit in public accounts) the state will collapse financially.
As for the recent increase in
fuel, the Mayor "turns up his nose", emphasizing that this isn’t the
best way; it’s necessary to adhere an austere administration, cutting costs and
improving revenues, fine-tuning with taxes collection and avoiding tax evasion.
The Brazilian Social
Democratic Party may even have several well-known candidates who may aspire to
become President. Yet it is increasingly hard to find a politician with a
"clean record" and who is popular among the majority of population. Could
João Doria be such candidate?
Miguel Verde - Senior Consultant, Professor of
International Relations
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