In total, the eight candidates running for governor of Maranhão were invited to participate in the debate. The names of the participants were confirmed for the electoral dispute and the meeting aimed to present to voters the candidates' proposals and positions on topics relevant to the state.
The debate lasted approximately two hours and was broadcast live on Imirante.com, the portal's YouTube channel and Rádio Mirante News FM 104.1. Mediation was the responsibility of journalist Carla Lima.
In the question and answer blocks, candidates had 30 seconds to ask questions, 1 minute and 30 seconds for answers, 1 minute for the reply and 1 minute for the rejoinder.
The first block of the debate between the candidates for the Maranhão government was marked by criticism of previous administrations, as well as discussions on public security, labor rights, job creation, infrastructure and economic development.
"Saulo, was classified by the Federal Police, the Federal Public Ministry and the Judiciary as a criminal ecosystem. It was not a faction, it was not a criminal organization, it was a criminal ecosystem installed in Maranhão, to the point that a Secretary of State was removed from office and arrested, and one of the governor's nephews, the candidate's cousin, was removed from his duties. How do you think this government and the succession of a nephew can combat this public insecurity?", asked Camarão.
"So, Felipe, we really have a criminal ecosystem. Unfortunately, you were part of this government. You broke away not long ago. We have to combat this criminal scheme that even led to decisions to remove the president of the Court of Auditors of the State of Maranhão, who is the governor's nephew, because they have an oligarchy set up and this scheme has to be clarified", replied Saulo.
"André, your party is for the end of Labor Justice. And we know, even with all its problems, it is the place where workers can still demand their rights, their terminations, their salaries. Do you really defend these ideas, including being against the end of the 6x1 scale, which was the victory of the workers?", asked Saulo.
"Yes, Saulo, we do defend the end of labor justice, because for us the justice that has to defend the worker is the same common justice. Labor justice is a very expensive justice and I want to highlight the reasons for our defense. Workers are migrating, leaving Brazil in search of living in other countries where labor law simply does not exist, labor justice simply does not exist. They work by the hour", replied André Luís.
"We are a little scared about the issue of bridges, the Mosquito bridge is on the verge of falling. Remembering that you see us from the interior of the state, São Luís has land access via two lanes, a bridge with two lanes, and both, one was already under maintenance and the other also started to show signs of failure. What is your proposal for a solution to this?", asked André.
“We are happy to have announced here in my presentation that President Lula has already made the work order, starting on September 10th, the work on the Estreito dos Mosquitos bridge, which in fact remained without maintenance for a long time”, replied Camarão.
The second block of the debate between candidates for the Maranhão government was marked by discussions on education, public security, tourism and urban mobility. The candidates presented proposals for areas considered strategic and exchanged criticisms about the state's situation.
"André, we know that nationally your party defends homeschooling, militarization of schools, among many other absurdities. But tell me this, very objectively, without being a chat response: what is your proposal to resolve education in Maranhão?", asked Camarão.
"The answer is technology, access so that our young people have the possibility of passing the Enem without having to deal with universities that in fact do not deliver students ready for the job market. We want to focus a lot on making education in the state a technical education. This is what made Germany achieve high numbers of economic development, getting young people ready for the job market right after high school", replied André Luís.
"Unfortunately, we are once again frightened by crime in the state of Maranhão. I want to stand alongside the family of Eldimir Otávio, who was shot outside a gym recently and went through the cross to get treatment. What is your proposal to solve this public security problem?", asked André.
"I have the greatest respect for the police forces in the state of Maranhão and I know what they have been through with the current government. The police forces in Maranhão earn the third worst salary in the country. We have to enhance the police forces, integration and intelligence among the security forces, in addition to investing in equipment and taking care of the mental health of the police", replied Camarão.
"We know that we have very important cultural events and several places where we can implement and strengthen tourism, this generates work and income for the population. Unfortunately, you have a development model that does not prioritize tourism. You have sanitation that needs to be resolved. What is your proposal for tourism?", asked Saulo.
"The first thing is to integrate tourism and culture, I'm not talking about merging departments. Maranhão has unique things, such as Bumba Meu Boi, Tambor de Crioula, the Historic Center of São Luís, Lençóis Maranhenses, Munin, Floresta dos Guarás and Chapada das Mesas. We need to make tourists arrive and spend money in the state. To do this, we have to add services, invest in infrastructure, security, sanitation and in a permanent cultural calendar", he replied Shrimp.
"Recently we had the opportunity to talk about the lack of a solution for public transport in the main city of our state. January is approaching and you talk a lot about being in favor of workers. What is your proposal for road workers, so that this doesn't happen again and they can get their salary adjustment without having to take to the streets?", asked André.
"Mayor Eduardo Braide did not solve the problem of public transport in São Luís. We defend that public transport should be state-owned, with a transport company that can integrate road, water and rail modes. We will not achieve this by handing over the service to private companies", replied Saulo.
"We have sad news for cancer patients in Maranhão. The Brandão government suspended cancer treatment services in Caxias and also here at the Cancer Hospital. Maranhão's healthcare is collapsed, with endless queues. What are your proposals to improve public health in our state?", asked Camarão.
"We have to change this model. The Department of Health needs to guarantee public competition. It is absurd that there have been no state competitions in the area for over ten years. We need to structure hospitals and guarantee decent conditions for the population that depends on public health", replied Saulo.
"André, we have had a development model since the 1970s with large enterprises linked to agribusiness, mining and energy production. I ask: are you in favor of Matopiba? Are you in favor of the federal government's Safra Plan?", asked Saulo.
"Yes, I am in favor of Matopiba and more than that. I am in favor of bringing to Maranhão a model that has worked in Mato Grosso. We want these products that pass through our roads to start generating income and work in our state, through industry, creating opportunities for employment and economic development", replied André Luís.
"I want to go back to our last meeting, when you said you were going to do in Maranhão what Lula has done throughout Brazil. How can people understand a government that has more than 50% rejection as a good thing?", asked André.
"I want to reaffirm to you that I want to do for Maranhão what Lula does for Brazil. I want to combine the Pé-de-Meia program with Escola Digna, expand comprehensive education, strengthen housing, health and social assistance programs, in addition to generating employment, work and income with the support of the federal government", replied Camarão.
"Here we've already talked a little about sewage. I ask you, considering the vulnerability of our beaches and so that the problem can really be resolved: first, is there a solution? And, if there is a solution, what is it? And more: do you have the resources for it?", asked the journalist.
"It has resources. The problem is the priority. Maranhão invests very little in sanitation. We need to value Caema, expand investments, hold public tenders and face problems such as the pollution of rivers, beaches and the excessive use of pesticides", replied Saulo.
In the final considerations, Felipe Camarão thanked Grupo Mirante for holding the debate and the candidates who participated in the confrontation of ideas. The PT candidate highlighted his career as a federal prosecutor, former civil police officer, university professor and former Secretary of State, claiming to have works in the 217 municipalities of Maranhão. Camarão also reinforced the partnership with President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, defended programs in the areas of education, housing, health and social assistance and stated that his candidacy represents an alternative to both the current state management and the projects he classified as extreme right and extreme left.
Saulo Arcangeli stated that the debate brought together three distinct political projects and criticized opponents who, according to him, are part of oligarchic groups that have governed Maranhão for decades. The PSTU candidate defended a candidacy linked to the left and presented proposals focused on public works, basic sanitation, strengthening Caema, family farming, fishing and agroindustry. He also highlighted environmental issues, criticized the advancement of agribusiness and oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin and defended the distribution of wealth in favor of workers.
André Luís was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the debate and said he represented an alternative to traditional politics in Maranhão. The Mission Party candidate highlighted the fight against corruption as the party's main banner and criticized the political groups that, according to him, dominate the state. André also defended proposals aimed at industrialization, the internalization of economic activity and the generation of jobs and income, arguing that Maranhão needs to make better use of its wealth to promote economic development.
Eduardo Braide's (PSD) advisor informed by telephone that the candidate would not attend the debate, but did not provide a reason for his absence.
Orleans Brandão (MDB) also did not attend. Although the press office had previously sent information indicating their participation, the reason for their absence was not provided.
