The first debate among candidates for the governor of Minas Gerais in this year's elections was marked by discussions on the state's debt, the State Debt Repayment Program (Propag), privatizations, public security, mining, and infrastructure investments. Hosted by Band on Sunday, October 16, the event brought together Mateus Simões (PSD), Alexandre Kalil (PDT), Flávio Roscoe (PL), Gabriel Azevedo (MDB), and Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos). Patrus Ananias (PT) did not participate as he was in São Paulo on a schedule.
Right in the first block, candidates were asked about their priorities for a potential administration given Minas Gerais's fiscal situation. The state's debt and the effects of Propag took up much of the debate.
Alexandre Kalil characterized the agreement as an "aggression against Minas Gerais" and stated that the program could represent a R$ 165 billion hole for the state, considering the payments and exemptions planned. For the former mayor of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais would become "ungovernable" with the model and direct negotiation in Brasília would be necessary.
Cleitinho Azevedo advocated for dialogue with the federal government to find ways to reduce the debt. The candidate also criticized tax exemptions granted by the state and called for greater scrutiny of companies and taxpayers. According to him, benefits would need to be revised and tax evasion combated, along with reducing public expenses.
Flávio Roscoe also stated that he intends to pressure the federal government for a renegotiation. He believes that while the Propag's entry into force may initially make the situation more manageable, it will later compromise the state's investment capacity. The candidate promised to present, within the first 90 days of his government, a package aimed at increasing the productivity of the public administration, including the use of technologies like artificial intelligence.
Gabriel Azevedo took a different stance and stated that Minas Gerais needs to fulfill its part in balancing public accounts. He defended an independent agency to monitor the use of state resources and argued that the state cannot spend more than it collects. Mateus Simões claimed that Minas Gerais has already paid R$ 13 billion of the debt and that currently, the debt is within the state's payment capacity.
Public security and feminicide
Public security was also among the main topics of the debate. In one of the earliest direct confrontations, Mateus Simões questioned Alexandre Kalil about feminicide and asked him to explain his position that the issue is not exclusively a government matter.
Kalil criticized what he called the dismantling of the police in Minas Gerais, carried out by the Simões government, and accused the current management of not providing sufficient responses to combat violence against women. The candidate also stated that 126 women's police stations had been closed and criticized the strategy of putting women in command of security forces without, in his view, expanding specific protection policies.
On the issue of combating criminal organizations, Gabriel Azevedo advocated for the valorization of civil and military police, including through salary improvements. He argued that public security requires a strategy beyond overt actions. Cleitinho, for his part, promised to strengthen the Civil Police and expand the use of artificial intelligence to combat criminal factions.
Privatizations divide candidates
The privatization of Cemig also sparked a confrontation. Questioned by Cleitinho, Gabriel Azevedo stated he was against privatizing the company. He believed the company was already undergoing a privatization process and should not be turned into a space for political appointments.
Gabriel argued that Cemig should expand its activities with small producers and pointed to lithium exploration and investments in universities and research as opportunities for Minas Gerais's economic development.
The candidate also criticized the possibility of privatizing Copasa. Azevedo expressed opposition to the measure and showed concern about potential impacts on water and sewage tariffs. Roscoe, however, defended the privatization of the company as an alternative to improve sanitation and allow municipalities to seek other service providers.
Mining and Serra do Curral
Mining activity was another point of divergence. Gabriel Azevedo questioned Flávio Roscoe about mining in the Serra do Curral and criticized the extraction of minerals from the region.
Roscoe argued the economic importance of mining to Minas Gerais, but stated that irregular activities should be punished. The candidate said the state needs to differentiate companies operating within the legislation from those committing irregularities and advocated for sustainable mining, as well as defended less bureaucratic licensing processes.
Roads, health, and education
The precariousness of Minas Gerais' roads emerged in another moment of the debate. When questioned by Roscoe about the issue, Mateus Simões acknowledged the existence of an investment deficit and stated that at least R$ 4 billion would be needed to address the situation. Roscoe affirmed that roads would be a priority in his eventual government.
In health, Roscoe advocated for the decentralization of high-complexity services, with the expansion of equipment and ICU beds in the interior. In education, Cleitinho promised to appoint a secretary who is a state career servant, as well as to increase investments in schools and mental health policies for teachers.
The debate also addressed the situation of app workers. When questioned by Gabriel, Kalil stated that during his tenure as Mayor of Belo Horizonte, he held meetings between taxi drivers and app workers to find solutions to conflicts caused by the rise of digital ride-sharing services.
IPVA and tax incentives
The collection of IPVA (State Vehicle Tax) also sparked a discussion. Cleitinho reaffirmed his proposal to prevent vehicle seizures for non-payment of the tax. When asked about the impact on municipalities, he stated that the proposal does not mean ending IPVA and that resources would continue to be transferred.
The tax incentives granted by the state were also subject to questions. Kalil acknowledged the existence of benefits, but argued that some are related to job creation, citing a situation in Southern Minas Gerais involving around 10,000 job positions.
Roscoe defended the incentives and stated that considering them simply a problem would be a result of ignorance about their operation. He said the benefits are used as a mechanism to attract investments to Minas Gerais.
Direct Confrontations
In the final stretch of the debate, the candidates intensified their attacks. Kalil questioned Cleitinho about the approval of Propag and how the state could deal with the debt problem. Cleitinho characterized the program as a "necessary evil" and again defended negotiation with the federal government.
Cleitinho also declared his support for Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) for President of the Republic, stating that he is not neutral in the national race.
Kalil and Mateus Simões also exchanged accusations about possible irregularities. Questioned about Governor Romeu Zema's statement that there had been no corruption in his government, Simões said that there are always cases of misappropriation and that those involved were fired. The candidate also cited processes against Kalil related to the use of planes for games. The former mayor denied the accusations and stated that he is not facing corruption charges.
In the end, topics such as elective surgeries, youth, rare earths, and railway infrastructure were also addressed. Regarding rare earths, Gabriel Azevedo advocated for investments in universities and research so that Minas does not limit itself to extracting and exporting its mineral resources.