Brazil: Temer describes result of elections as positive for government

President Michel Temer described the result of the municipal elections as “positive” for the parties in the government's parliamentary base. The allied parties ensured a “splendid victory” in the race for mayoralties, which strengthens his support in pushing through fiscal adjustment measures in Congress, he said.

National head of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), Temer saw his party secure the largest number of mayoralties in the country. The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), the PMDB's number one ally, experienced the highest growth compared to the 2012 elections. Smaller parties, which also add up to a significant amount of seats on the government's side in the lower house, also elected more mayors than it did four years ago.

“The parties in the government's base ensured a splendid victory in the elections all across Brazil. This strengthens our parliamentary base, particularly at a moment when we have to approve something that's crucial to the recovery of employment in the country, namely the spending cap,” the president argued.

Temer reiterated he is to uphold his decision, observed in the first round of the elections, not take part in any campaign.

The statements were made by the president still at the airport in Buenos Aires. On Monday (Oct. 3), Temer visited Argentina and Paraguay with the purpose of expanding commercial ties between Brazil and the two countries.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira