Joao Doria, Governor of São Paulo: "I want Mauricio Macri to win and leftist populism never to come back"

"I want Mauricio Macri to win and leftist populism never come back". This is the answer that the governor of the state of São Paulo, Joao Doria, he gave Infobae when this media asked questions about the impact of the problems of Argentina in Brazil. His statement was hardly "diplomatic". On the contrary, during the hour and a half of the interview that he gave to a group of foreign correspondents, Doria insisted on several moments during which its management is "liberal" and that it puts on a "minimal state", on linehe says with the "policies of the Argentine President".

When in doubt, he stressed that it is "this liberal speech" that allowed "to win two consecutive elections". The first took place in 2016, when he was elected mayor of the capital São Paulo in the first round. The second in October of last year, when he won the victory that raised him to the command of the province of São Paulo. It is these triumphs that have made the governor the reference of his party, the Social Democratic Party of Brazil (PSDB). So it should not be surprising that his next step is to present himself to the highest office in the country.

Infobae He also inquired about his political relations with the president. Jair Bolsonaro, with whom he shares the economic philosophy, but differs in some "ideological" subjects. During the meeting with foreign journalists, including professionals from the main international media, he stressed his ambition to attract Chinese investment. Asked about the contradictions that could have on this subject with the Brazilian president, Doria considered that the bolonarist position, negative vis-à-vis the Asian power, "belongs to the past".

–You emphasized your interest in bringing Chinese capital to Brazil. Does this not contradict the national government's strategy?

–For nothing. We have just agreed with President Bolsonaro to visit Beijing and Shanghai from August 3 to 10. In addition, during this visit, the State of San Pablo will open an office in the latter metropolis. We want investments to be made in the automotive sector, the computer industry and high-speed rail lines. After this trip, we will go to Japan, which already promised a big investment in the automotive sector. I think this "anti-China" story was typical of an intense election period (between August and October 2018) that has now lost its validity.

–How do you define your relationship with the Bolsonaro government?

–Our relationship is very good. We have a vast bilateral program not only in the field of international relations but also in infrastructure projects. Thanks to coordinated action, we have already made progress in a rail program in which we want to bring together European and Asian investors.

–What is the impact of the Argentine economic recession on Brazil and especially on São Paulo?

–No doubt that there is an impact. Argentina is an excellent trading partner and we hope that it can quickly resume the path of growth. But, I want to say that I am personally an admirer of the country. I was with President Macri, who received me as mayor of the city of San Pablo during a trip to Buenos Aires. I would also like to emphasize my affinity with the president's liberal policy and, without a doubt, from there, we will reinforce his re-election and prevent the return of left-wing populism. We know the financial difficulties, but we do not doubt that the country will develop again and will have a positive impact on the Brazilian economy and therefore on that of Sao Paulo.

Accompanied by his main secretaries, he has included them several times in the dialogue with the foreign press. Among them is Henrique Meirelles, former president of the central bank and former finance minister until last year. He now heads the Ministry of Finance of the State of São Paulo (equivalent of a provincial ministry). According to Meirelles, "Governor Doria's priority is job creation, which will be achieved by offsetting the recession". What they are not willing to dosays the official "This justifies deficits based on social policies. Unemployment will be fought with the revitalization of the industrial park of São Paulo. "The program includes of course the privatization of several companies and state agencies, including the concession of 21 airports in São Paulo.

Despite being manifest unlike subsidy policiesJoao Doria revealed that there is one that he is ready to implement soon. This is the reduction of the kerosene tax for aviation, of the order of 10 points. This measure tends precisely to convert Guarulhos airport into a global hub. This would be done simply by reducing the fuel of the airlines. In short, Doria badured: "We are against the tax war". This measure could have serious repercussions for the rest of the South American airports.