The federal government is negotiating with Congress the creation of emergency subsidies for cooking gas, diesel and bus fares, confirmed to CNN three sources directly involved. The aim is to minimize the fuel price spike caused by the war in Ukraine.
The assessment is that there are no political conditions for Petrobras to promote the transfer of prices that would be necessary to reestablish parity with the international market. The government’s fear is of a social upheaval like what happened in 2013.
This Friday (4), the domestic price lag in relation to the international price reached 32% for diesel, according to the Brazilian Association of Fuel Importers (Abicom). For gasoline, the difference is 28%, but this fuel should not receive subsidies because it would greatly increase the cost of the program.
The alternative under analysis is to use the same mechanism adopted by the government of former president Michel Temer when the truck drivers struck in 2018.
The Treasury would reimburse the difference to refineries, including Petrobras. According to a government source, there is no lack of resources due to the record payment of dividends and royalties by the state company itself.
The main difficulty is the electoral law, which prohibits the establishment of new subsidies in a presidential election year. That is why the assessment within the government is that this measure needs to be included in the fuel bills that are being processed in Congress. Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco has already said that he intends to vote on the measures next week.
The discussions are being coordinated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, with the participation of the Civil House and the Ministry of Economy. Petrobras has also participated with technical information.
Sources close to the company warned the government that it is not possible to hold adjustments for much longer, as it has not readjusted prices for 50 days.
The state company’s concern is with domestic supply, as its production is not enough to meet demand. Public company legislation prevents Petrobras from importing more expensive fuel abroad and selling it at a loss in Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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