Brazil's President Temer: Pension reform shows government's “courage”

President Michel Temer said the government has been brave to propose its pension reform amid widespread popular criticism. He spoke at the 6th Leaders of Brazil Awards ceremony held by Lide group at Bandeirantes Palace, the seat of São Paulo state government.

Courage

Temer said that he would not like to be “lashed on social media” for pushing for “a crucial pensions reform for the country.”

“We are not concerned about ourselves, we are concerned about the future generations. We need to reform the pension system today to ensure there will be pensions tomorrow. That shows our courage,” the president said.

“It takes courage to make seemingly unpopular moves, which will create popularity further ahead,” he said, adding that he “dearly wished” he could “use all the money in the State's coffers” to conduct his government.

Awards

The president was given a “Leader of Brazil” award, and Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles, who also attended, received a special public sector honour.

São Paulo State Governor Geraldo Alckmin and the elected mayor of the city of São Paulo, João Dória, were at the ceremony. In front of a business audience, the president said he was “very excited” as he left the event. “We're putting Brazil on the right track for the future. Brazil is going to thrive,” he said.

Criminal implications

President Temer also said he asked Prosecutor-General Rodrigo Janot “any wrongdoing should be brought to light once and for all”, referring to media reports that executives at Odebrecht construction contractor who signed plea bargain deals with Operation Car Wash investigators had implicated several politicians, including Temer himself. The president warned that leaks of testimonies before they are heard in full and itted by court could bring the country to a standstill.

Translated by Mayra Borges