The right needs to highlight Bolsonaro’s achievements in the NE, says Queiroga

Analyzing the scenario for the 2024 municipal elections, former Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga told People’s Gazette that the right needs to defend the legacy of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to gain space in the Northeast, a region that is the electoral stronghold of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). He himself intends to fulfill this role, as he was launched by the Liberal Party as a pre-candidate for mayor of João Pessoa, capital of Paraíba, in next year’s municipal elections.

Calling Bolsonaro an “electoral general” – more than an “electoral cord” –, Queiroga cites the completion of the transposition of the São Francisco River during the Bolsonaro government as one of the legacies of the previous administration for the Northeast, with the potential to increase the votes of the party in 2024. The work, which has its paternity claimed by the Workers’ Party, was started in 2007 and was scheduled for completion in 2012, but completion only occurred in 2022.

The former minister also notes positive effects from the presence of former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro at PL events in the region. “Dona Michele has played a very significant leading role in this short and medium term electoral scenario in the 2024 elections. She gains considerable admiration and brings together voters who had not previously voted for our party, especially young people and a considerable number of women who opted for other candidates”, points out Queiroga, also stating that there is a significant segment of northeasterners with conservative values.

Still regarding the PL’s preparations for municipal disputes in the Northeast, the former Minister of Health says that it is important that the party avoids alliances with parties that have a left-wing programmatic content, similar to that of the PT and PSB.

“It is important to seek to repeat the alliance that supported President Jair Bolsonaro’s government”, he highlights. This mission, however, is difficult. Party alliances in this context tend to follow a local logic in which it is often common to see parties that oppose each other on the national scene entering into partnerships for municipal disputes.

Born in Paraíba, Queiroga joined the PL in June this year and was soon announced as a pre-candidate for mayor of João Pessoa. During his time at the Ministry of Health, the 57-year-old cardiologist was considered a technical member of the Bolsonaro administration. He took over the portfolio after the departure of General Eduardo Pazuello, current federal deputy for the PL of Rio de Janeiro.

Asked about the reason for joining party politics, Queiroga stated that he was convinced by Bolsonaro to run for the party. “The president recognizes my management skills and my ability to articulate politics, which justifies my presence in politics,” he said.

Below, check out the full interview.

People’s Gazette: In addition to you, João Roma and Gilson Machado intend to run for mayor in the Northeast. We know that the region is President Lula’s stronghold, what are the expectations for this election?

Queiroga: There are more than 5,000 municipalities in Brazil, and the Liberal Party expects to increase the number of mayors and councilors in the 2024 elections, especially after President Jair Bolsonaro joins the party. The president’s performance throughout Brazil has been very good, including in some municipalities in this region, which traditionally vote for the left. Therefore, the effort of the party, which is organizing itself throughout Brazil, is to increase the number of mayors, which is essential for the year 2026.

GP: Does Bolsonaro’s ineligibility affect the advance of the right in the Northeast?

Queiroga: The issue of ineligibility is something that can be reviewed. We hope that the STF [Supremo Tribunal Federal] reconsider the position of the TSE [Tribunal Superior Eleitoral], which in our opinion is mistaken. But, regardless of the position of the TSE or the STF, the right in Brazil was greatly strengthened after President Jair Bolsonaro’s victory in 2018 and with the beginning of Lula’s government. This shows that we were on the right path. Therefore, regardless of the outcome of the Bolsonaro issue, we will be very strong in 2024.

He is not just an electoral leader, he is an electoral general. As shown by the appreciation he has received, despite all these unfair attacks he has suffered. We see that his popularity remains preserved, unlike the current ruler, who cannot walk down the street, simply go out, because the people are not with him. This became even more evident after the TSE judgment. We see a much stronger performance, including from the first lady.

GP: Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro has been traveling to the Northeast. Do you think this movement facilitates this break in PT hegemony?

Queiroga: Certainly, Ms. Michele has played a very significant leading role in this short and medium-term electoral scenario in the 2024 elections. She gains considerable admiration and brings together voters who had not previously voted for our party, especially young people and a portion considerable number of women who opted for other candidates. We are already observing a change in this behavior, especially among younger women, who are approaching our party, encouraged by Michelle Bolsonaro and a conservative agenda.

The Northeast is not just a left-wing stronghold; there is a significant segment of northeasterners with conservative values. They do not agree, for example, with the decriminalization of drugs or the legalization of abortion. This is especially true among the most humble people, who are historically the PT’s electorate. Michelle Bolsonaro has been effective in attracting these voters with an agenda that resonates with their convictions, contributing to the breakdown of the PT’s hegemony in the region.

GP: What does the right need to do to advance in the region?

Queiroga: For the right to advance in the region, there are several actions to be considered. Firstly, it is essential to contest the elections, as a team that does not play cannot win. This implies taking clear positions and not allying with left-leaning parties, avoiding alliances with parties that have a programmatic content similar to that of the PT and PSB. It is important to seek to repeat the alliance that supported President Jair Bolsonaro’s government.

Another relevant point is that Bolsonarism today has a strong party, the new PL, which elected a significant group of federal deputies in the Chamber. We also have a significant bench in the Federal Senate in the Northeast region. Furthermore, the transposition of the São Francisco River, an important project for the region, was carried out during the Bolsonaro government. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen communication and highlight achievements. To this end, the president appointed several northeastern ministers, such as Ciro Nogueira do Piauí, Rogério Marinho, now a senator and leader of the PL in the Senate, Gilson Machado in Paraíba and João Roma, all under the strong leadership of President Bolsonaro.

With the support of President Valdemar Costa Neto, we have a responsibility to defend Bolsonaro’s legacy and what he accomplished in the country, especially in the Northeast region. This includes the transposition of São Francisco, strong representation in the political sphere and a commitment to effective communication to win the support of voters in the region.

GP: You were considered a technical member of the Jair Bolsonaro government. What motivated you to enter party politics?

Queiroga: The president invited me to take over the Ministry of Health at an extremely challenging time for public health. I am Brazil’s fiftieth health minister, and none of the previous 49 faced a scenario remotely similar to the one I faced. We face significant adversities, such as Covid’s CPI, which spent six months working against Brazil.

In the political field, you enter politics initially through a political appointment made by the President of the Republic. However, you remain in politics because of your ability to deal with opponents. This was also exemplified by governor Tarcísio de Freitas [de São Paulo]. The president presented Tarcísio as Minister of Infrastructure, although he has expressed interest in being a candidate for the Senate. Bolsonaro decided that he should remain in the Executive, and the same happens to me. The President recognizes my management skills and my ability to articulate politics, which justifies my presence in politics.

GP: In an interview you commented that the Covid-19 vaccine technology was thrown into the trash can. Why did this occur in your assessment?

Queiroga: President Bolsonaro’s government, contrary to what many claim, was never against vaccination. The government’s strategy was not to impose compulsory vaccination, as they believed that forcing people at this time would not bring significant benefits. The Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, supported vaccine development projects, such as the USP vaccine [Universidade de São Paulo] and a technology transfer agreement between the Ministry of Health Foundation, the University of Oxford and the pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca, resulting in an investment of R$1.9 billion for the production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is already being produced in Brazil.

However, due to pressure from researchers and other factors, the technology initially supported by the government eventually fell into disuse. When I mentioned that the technology “went to the trash can”, I was referring to the fact that this approach to vaccination, which could be used, ended up being left aside. Therefore, it was a missed opportunity that could have been avoided with more effective management and better communication about the importance of the technology supported initially.

GP: The Ministry of Health has recently been involved in controversies, such as the promotion of an event called “Batcu”, which featured indecent choreography. The National Health Council also, when asking the Ministry include terreiros as health-promoting and complementary healing equipment in the Unified Health System. How do you assess the progress of the department based on this?

Queiroga: A million reais spent on a dance like this raised a lot of criticism, leading the public to nickname the Ministry “Batcu”. This reinforces my view that the technology initially supported has been neglected. While they claim to be lovers of science, they are financing African-based religious practices in the Unified Health System. I have nothing against religions, but these actions do not have a solid basis in science. This is why, as a doctor, I feel compelled to enter politics.

On the other hand, Brazilian society is beginning to realize what is really happening in the Ministry of Health. We noticed that the majority of guardianship counselors, at least 70% of them, have a conservative orientation. Guardianship counselors play a crucial role in protecting our children and adolescents. Society is beginning to question the actions of the Ministry of Health, and this version of the ministry is considered 20 times worse than the one in 2003 that took power. Identity agendas were not so dominant at that time. Therefore, it is essential to occupy spaces in the National Health Council to exercise adequate social control and question what the State allows in this regard.