Rio: Paes targets Bolsonarist stronghold with pre-election works – 06/09/2023 – Politics

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes (PSD), plans a series of launches and inaugurations of works throughout the end of this year and next, when he will run for re-election.

The main investment of his administration is a ring road in Campo Grande (west zone), a neighborhood in which he had the worst result in the 2020 elections and former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), who should support the mayor’s opponent, the best last year in the city.

Paes is still seeking BNDES financing of R$ 1 billion for the works in Campo Grande, which will further expand the interventions currently planned at around R$ 600 million. The expectation is to announce the loan alongside his ally President Lula (PT) later this year.

The work package also includes the completion, expansion and adaptation of investments in transport made in its first two administrations (2009-2016) in preparation for hosting the 2016 Olympics. his first management in the north zone.

In all, the main works add up to around R$ 3.7 billion in investments.

The mayor denies that the inaugurations have any connection with the electoral campaign. They form part, according to him, of management planning. “Things are planned. Fixing the house and money, making projects and bidding in the first year. [as obras] in the second and finish in the third and fourth [anos].”

Paes will try to get his fourth term ahead of Rio de Janeiro next year. In case of victory, he will become the mayor who ruled the city for the longest time.

The scenario for the election next year was scrambled after Bolsonaro vetoed the candidacy of his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ). Even so, there is an assessment that the former president will have strong support in the municipal election.

The PL is studying the candidacy of deputy Eduardo Pazuello, Bolsonaro’s former Minister of Health, Senator Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ) and former vice president Walter Braga Netto. Governor Cláudio Castro (PL), in turn, tries to place the name of the state secretary of Health, Dr. Luizinho (PP).

Last year, Bolsonaro beat Lula in the city by 57% to 43% of the valid votes. The former president had a wider advantage in the west zone, mainly in Campo Grande, where he reached 64% of the valid votes.

The neighborhood will receive the main investment of this third administration of Paes. The ring road will have an underpass, two tunnels and widening streets to improve vehicle circulation in the region, one of the most populous in the city.

The first phase of the work, costing R$ 286 million, has already started and the second, costing around R$ 320 million, should be tendered this month. The complete work will be completed in 2025, but phased openings are expected. The complete project is budgeted at R$ 1 billion.

The intervention has been the target of criticism from urban planners for not providing for any investment in public transport. The work has been planned for about 15 years. “It will greatly improve mobility in the region,” says Paes.

The other openings one year before the elections are similar to Paes’ bets in previous disputes.

The mayor expects to conclude this year the work on the BRT Transbrasil, started in his second administration and abandoned by his successor (and predecessor) Marcelo Crivella (Republicans). The final destination of the bus corridor will be Terminal Gentileza, which will integrate the system with the VLT, municipal and intercity buses.

The package provides for the delivery of a new concrete lane for the Transoeste, the first BRT inaugurated by Paes in his first administration, in 2012. The bus lane had flaws because the lane was made with asphalt that did not support the exclusive traffic of collectives. The renovation cost BRL 221 million and will have five new terminals (BRL 180 million).

The municipality is also building three parks in the north and west zones similar to the one in Madureira, delivered before Paes’ first re-election. The biggest one will also be in Campo Grande and should be completed close to the 2024 dispute.