The PSD candidate for the Senate for Rio Grande do Sul, Frederico Antunes, was interviewed this Monday (14) by Bom Dia Rio Grande, on RBS TV.
In the interview, which lasted 15 minutes, Antunes defended the extension of the suspension of payment of installments of the state's debt with the Union.
According to Antunes, negotiation will be one of the challenges at the beginning of 2027. The candidate stated that the resources must remain in Rio Grande do Sul to finance the recovery of losses caused by the climate events of 2024 and prepare the state for new floods and droughts.
"We have a challenge at the beginning of 2027, the first quarter of 2027, of being able to extend this period of non-payment of monthly debt payments", he stated.
Antunes also spoke about the review of the 6x1 work schedule, works to prevent climate events, the Federal Supreme Court (STF), constitutional funds, health financing and debts of rural producers.
Frederico Cantori Antunes is 57 years old, born in Uruguaiana and an agronomist. In 1992, he debuted in politics when he was elected councilor of Uruguaiana, at the age of 24. In 1998, he was elected state deputy. He was then re-elected for another six consecutive terms. He presided over the Legislative Assembly in 2007 and was leader of the Eduardo Leite (PSD) government in the Assembly in 2019.
The interview opened the Bom Dia Rio Grande series with candidates for the Senate in the 2026 elections. Candidates from parties, coalitions and federations that have at least five representatives in the National Congress participate live. The rest are interviewed in recorded reports.
The order was defined in a draw in the presence of the candidates' representatives. Live interviews last 15 minutes.
Rio Grande do Sul's debt with the Union
Antunes stated that he intends to work in the Senate to extend the period in which the state does not need to pay the debt installments with the Union. According to the candidate, the resources should be used in investments considered essential for recovering the damage caused by the 2024 climate events and to expand the state's prevention capacity.
Antunes also defended that the Union considers the impact of floods and droughts on the economy of Rio Grande do Sul. He stated that losses in agricultural production cause a reduction in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and state revenue.
"Our economy has a very strong backing from the primary sector, from the agricultural production sector, livestock. And every time we have droughts, it's not just floods, we had droughts in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, we have a sudden decrease in our economy", he said.
Works against floods and droughts
Asked about criticism of the speed of investments in preventing climate events, Antunes stated that large-scale works depend on the preparation of projects, licensing and a prolonged period of execution. The candidate mentioned the need to build and reinforce dikes.
"How are you going to do a project like this in a short space of time? There are no conditions to do that", he stated. "We have just started working on projects, that is, many are already being seen. Others need to be put into practice", he said.
The candidate once again linked the prevention of climate events to debt negotiation. For him, maintaining resources in the state would allow the works to continue.
6x1 Scale Review
Antunes stated that he is in favor of reviewing the 6x1 work schedule. According to the candidate, however, regulations must consider the characteristics of each activity. He cited hospitals, Santas Casas and philanthropic institutions as examples of services that need to operate 24 hours a day and could not be treated in the same way as administrative activities.
"It's not just saying that he will have more time to rest, he also has to have a job, he has to have work, he has to have income", he said. "You have to be careful and cautious with the implementation, including creating time for the implementation of this change that you intend to have", he stated.
Federal Supreme Court
Asked about possible changes related to the Federal Supreme Court, including the process for appointing ministers, the candidate stated that the laws must be complied with by everyone and that the Senate must demand that institutions fulfill their respective duties.
"The law must be followed, both for those who wear flip-flops and for those who wear a toga. You cannot have castes with privileges," he said. "The responsibility of being in the Senate of the Republic is the responsibility of demanding that institutions fulfill their role", he stated.
Constitutional funds
The candidate defended that Rio Grande do Sul has access to resources similar to those made available by the constitutional funds of the North, Northeast and Central-West regions.
According to Antunes, these funds offer resources with lower costs for investments and job creation. He stated that regions and micro-regions in Rio Grande do Sul also face economic difficulties.
Asked whether the existing funds aim to reduce inequalities in historically poorer regions, Antunes cited the impacts of droughts and floods on the economy of Rio Grande do Sul. He also mentioned competition that he considers to be unequal with neighboring countries.
"The proposition that we have constitutional funds that give us the ability to generate development, balance, dignity, dignity for the citizens of Rio Grande do Sul is, yes, a priority", he stated.
