Rousseff Asks Governors for Help to End Crisis

07/31/2015 - 11h23

During a speech to governors from all over the country, president Dilma Rousseff acknowledged that Brazil is experiencing "difficulties", such as rising inflation and currency devaluation, and asked the leaders in the states for help to "face the problems together".

With ease, the president assured that she knows how to "withstand pressure and even injustice", a clear message to the sectors of the opposition who support her impeachment.

"I don't deny the difficulties, but I assure you that all of us, and especially the federal government, know how to deal with those difficulties and in a much faster way than some are thinking. [...] It is important to establish partnerships to face the problems together", Rousseff declared on Thursday (30).

In response to criticisms that she governs in a centralized way, the president said that her "ears and heart" are open for criticism and suggestions.

"I, personally, know how to tolerate pressure and even injustice and that is something that any government has to know how to manage and understand that it makes up a part of its performance. I have open ears, when it comes to reason, and an open heart, when it comes to emotion, to know that the Brazil which has grown and does not settle is the Brazil we want, one that always wants more", she declared.

In a speech slightly over thirty minutes long, Rousseff listed the economic problems Brazil has been facing, according to her, since August of 2014, such as "a collapse in the price of commodities, the major devaluation of the currency, affecting prices and inflation". But she added "that's no excuse for anyone".

The president's objective is to divide the responsibility of avoiding the approval of projects in Congress with the governors, projects that would mean more expenses for the Union and consequently, for the States.

"All of us, in a greater or lesser degree, face fiscal difficulties", she said. "The solution to our problems is to use the resources we have, be more efficient, especially in those areas where we operate jointly" Rousseff concluded.

The president promised a reduction in inflation by next year and the return of growth. The president tried to demonstrate to the governors that the fiscal adjustment and the programs launched by the government will place Brazil back on the growth path.

The meeting at the Palácio da Alvorada was attended by 26 governors-only the governor of Mato Grosso do Sul sent his Lieutenant, claiming international travel.

Also present were vice-president Michel Temer and nine ministers: Joaquim Levy (Finance), Nelson Barbosa (Planning), Aloizio Mercadante (Civil House), José Eduardo Cardozo (Justice), Arthur Chioro (Health), Eliseu Padilha (Civil Aviation), Edinho Silva (Civil Communications Office), Guilherme Afif Domingos (Micro and Small Businesses) and Gilberto Kassab (Cities).

Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ

Read the article in the original language

	Pedro Ladeira/Folhapress
	Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff poses for a picture during a meeting with governors at Alvorada Palace, in Brasilia