Privatizations of Cemig and Copasa enter the ALMG agenda with the return of deputies on February 1st

Zema government is pushing for approval in the first half of the year, while the opposition criticizes the sale of state-owned companies. President of the Assembly guarantees adequate time for analysis

Starting in February, the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais (ALMG) will face a significant challenge: the analysis of the privatization projects of Cemig and Copasa, considered the main agendas of the Zema government for the beginning of 2024. After 40 days of parliamentary recess, Minas Gerais state deputies will return to activities on February 1st, with the privatizations of these two important state-owned companies as the central focus of the debates. Zema government claims that the proposals are ripe for voting. Vice-governor Mateus Simões, from the Novo Party, classifies the process as 'modernization'. 'In this good moment of relations with the assembly, with a strong and present base, we are finally ripe to start these discussions', declared Simões.Criticism of Cemig and expectations for CopasaSince taking office, the Zema government has made frequent criticisms of Cemig. The governor has declared on several occasions that the lack of modernization in the company's lines has slowed down the development of Minas Gerais' agribusiness, one of the pillars of the state's economy.

Zema even publicly criticized the company, including alongside President Lula (PT) and Minister Alexandre Silveira (PSD), responsible for the country's energy sector. In the case of Copasa, the government is betting on the company's lack of popularity among the miners. Abusive bills, interruptions in supply and poor quality water are frequent complaints among customers, including in public hearings in the Assembly. Opposition contests privatizations The opposition in the Assembly disagrees with the Zema government's assessment. Parliamentarians believe that the solution is to invest in state-owned companies and not hand them over to the private sector. Deputies have already stated that the lack of investment in companies is a strategy by the Zema management to make them scrapped and generate dissatisfaction among miners.

The leader of the opposition, deputy Ulisses Gomes (PT), harshly criticizes the government's intentions: 'Selling water and electricity, our state's heritage, is without a doubt a serious setback for Minas Gerais. By transforming these two essential public goods into merchandise, Zema once again places the state government at the service of private interests, ignoring the needs of our population.' The government's most optimistic project is to approve privatizations in this first semester and auction Cemig and Copasa in the second half of 2024. 'ALMG will carry out a careful analysis', says Tadeu LeiteDespite having a good relationship with the Zema government, the president of the Assembly, deputy Tadeu Martins Leite (MDB), has already made a statement and said that the governor's time will not be the Assembly's time.

'It is legitimate and natural for the state government to forward the projects that they are interested in processing, in the same way that it is also normal and legitimate that the time for discussion, processing and construction of all projects falls to the board of directors, it is up to the presidency will also follow up', said Leite.

Political reporter at Rádio Itatiaia. He started on community radio at age 14. He graduated in journalism from PUC Minas. On radio, he had stints on Alvorada FM, BandNews FM and CBN, on Grupo Globo. At Grupo Bandeirantes, he held various positions until becoming anchor and editorial coordinator at BandNews FM BH. On television, he participated daily on TV Band Minas and BandNews TV. Winner of 8 journalism awards. He has already been elected by Portal dos Jornalistas as one of the 50 most awarded professionals in Brazil.