The disorganization of the federal government’s task force to help the Rio Grande do Sul caused discomfort to President Lula, in addition to motivating demands on ministers. After episodes in which assistants began to disagree when drawing up plans and announcing aid to the population of Rio Grande do Sul, Lula himself intervened to try to correct the situation. The main problem is the lack of dialogue with the Civil House, which is responsible for evaluating public policies and approving initiatives from the various departments. Furthermore, the federal government confirmed, on Wednesday (15), the creation of the Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic to Support the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul.
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Minister Lupi Backs Off
One of the disagreements occurred when the Minister of Social Security, Carlos Lupi, had to go back on the issuance of an ordinance that provided for the payment of an extra salary to those affected by the rains. The plan was adopted without prior consultation with the Civil House and angered the group close to Minister Rui Costa. The payment would have an impact of R$5 billion and could compromise the government’s fiscal target. After the clash with the Civil House, Lupi gave up on the idea. The government decided that the benefit would be an optional credit modality, and the person would be able to pay it in up to 36 months, interest-free.
Second Attrition
Another conflict occurred when the head of Social Development, Wellington Dias, advanced the payment of ministry resources which, together, represented R$70 million. The resources were already reserved, but Rui Costa was irritated by the lack of notice to the Civil House and said that the measure should only be put into practice after approval by Congress of the project that authorizes the government to exclude extraordinary expenses from the fiscal target to Rio Grande do Sul.
Another Disagreement with Rui Costa
Another government colleague who made Rui Costa uncomfortable was Silvio Costa Filho, from Ports and Airports. The head of the Civil House took a long time to respond to the situation at Porto Alegre airport, which is now closed for an indefinite period. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took the initiative to open the Canoas and Santa Maria air bases for flights with donations. It was also bad news that Costa Filho went to a Sebrae event in Rio de Janeiro during discussions about the Rio Grande do Sul crisis.
Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic to Support the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul
The Federal Government confirmed on Wednesday (15/05) the creation of the Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic to Support the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul. Federal deputy Paulo Pimenta (PT-RS) will be the head of the secretariat, with the status of minister. To this end, he will leave his current position as minister of the Secretariat of Social Communication. Pimenta is from Rio Grande do Sul and is a PT federal deputy elected by the state. Behind the scenes, he is considered a possible candidate for the Rio Grande do Sul government or for the Senate in 2026.
Analysis:
The lack of communication and coordination with the Ministry of the Civil House, which should evaluate and approve the public policies of the various departments, resulted in internal conflicts in the federal government’s task force to help Rio Grande do Sul. To improve the government’s response, the Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic to Support the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul was created, which will be led by federal deputy Paulo Pimenta, with the status of minister.
This appointment was criticized by the opposition, who saw President Lula’s actions as a politicization of the environmental and humanitarian tragedy. Members of the government itself admit that Pimenta’s choice also has a political component, aiming to counter the actions of state Governor Eduardo Leite (PSDB). Tipped to run for local government in 2026, Pimenta is a federal deputy and one of the main names in PT in Rio Grande do Sul.
