The Lula (PT) government is trying, with new measures, to increase its popularity among evangelicals and app workers in an attempt to reduce the opposition’s electorate or, halt its advance in a year of municipal elections and after a pro-Bolsonaro act that brought together thousands in São Paulo (SP).
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Event in São Paulo
According to allies, the act in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro, on Avenida Paulista, in São Paulo, ended up reinforcing the need for measures aimed at evangelical voters.
In addition to the street event, a survey of the electorate carried out by Genial/Quaest reinforced the understanding that Lula, to gain a foothold in government, needs to grow among evangelicals. The survey showed that there was a drop of three percentage points in the President’s approval, from 54% to 51%, and his biggest rejection is in the evangelical group.
Evangelicals
Since the beginning of his third term, Lula has tried to get closer to the evangelical camp, which accounts for 30% of the electorate, but so far, he has failed in this endeavor and sees the group loyal to former President Jair Bolsonaro.
President Lula’s comments regarding the State of Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip possibly also harmed his image among this public. For 60% of those interviewed, the president exaggerated with his statement. Among Bolsonaro voters, the percentage was 85%. Among Lula’s evangelical voters, 69% thought there was an exaggeration.
Economy
Although the economy showed good results, and grew 2.9% in 2023, the population’s perception of it also harmed it. For 38% of participants, the economy got worse in the last year. In December, this percentage was 31%.
Answer – Proposal
The Federal Government presented a bill that creates labor rights for app drivers. The proposal expands rights and guarantees legal security: the hour worked must have a minimum value of R$ 32.10; the worker must have minimum remuneration; and may have a 12-hour working day per application.
Furthermore, the new rules do not mean an employment relationship between drivers and the apps. Therefore, they will not be covered by the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT).
Exemption for Evangelicals
To seek the support of evangelicals, the Government has been pushing for the approval of a proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that expands the tax immunity of churches and temples of any religion, which has already advanced in the Chamber of Deputies. In practice, the text allows these entities to pay less taxes.
Sources: Folha de SP [1], [2], [3]; G1 [1], [2]; Câmara dos Deputados.
