The PT and its political allies intend to launch a stronger political and legal offensive to try to prevent the privatization of Eletrobras. According to the campaign’s diagnosis, the fight to re-nationalize the company could prove very costly politically and financially if Lula is elected.
In public speeches, Lula criticized the privatization of Eletrobras. He sees the company as the foundation of public policy in the energy field. Bolsonaro’s government plans to sell its stake in Eletrobras and reduce the current percentage from 72% to 45%, which will result in the privatization of the state-owned company.
- Follow Election Radar, a new video feed featuring behind-the-scenes information, nomination analysis, and voting intent polls
Palácio do Planalto’s intention is to hold an auction for the sale of shares on 9 or 15 June. There is an assessment that operation If it doesn’t happen next month, there will be calendar complications and greater political resistance to privatisation. After all, it’s election year.
In PT, there is an initial discussion about what to do. First, intensify ammunition to try to stop privatization with more political criticism and lawsuits. Second, to decide what to do if there is a sale that will require the burning of significant political and economic capital at the start of a final government.
Lula heard advice that it was worth buying the renationalization challenge in the context of an eventual merger with Petrobras to form a large mixed-cap energy company (state and private). However, there are also opinions that it will be very difficult to return if privatization is not prevented. In this case, it will be necessary to make a strong speech against the measure in line with the sale of public assets that are only harmful to the interests of the country.
There is a clause in the privatization rules that makes it difficult for the Union to buy back shares. If the federal government, for example, decides to increase its voting share ownership to 51%, it will have to submit an offer to purchase such shares at a premium of 200%. That is, it would have to buy another 49% of the voting shares at a premium of 200% above the market price.
PT members say they will work on a legal form to try to revoke such a clause. TCU gave the green light to privatization yesterday.
The fight for Eletrobras will form an important part of the presidential elections in the coming weeks.
source: Noticias
