Government officializes Marcio Pochmann as president of IBGE

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) made official this Tuesday (8) the appointment of economist Marcio Pochmann to the presidency of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The decision was published in the Official Gazette signed by Minister Rui Costa, from the Civil House (see in full).

Pochmann was confirmed as the new president of the IBGE on July 26 by Minister Paulo Pimenta, from the Secretariat for Social Communication (Secom), without the knowledge of Simone Tebet, from Planning, to whom the institute is subordinate. The minister, however, said the following day that the change of command was already a consensus and it was Lula’s request that she accepted.

Pochmann’s appointment was seen with reservations by the market due to his controversial positions in recent years. In controversial statements, he criticized the Pix payment system, created by the Central Bank in October 2020, and the labor and social security reforms, claiming that they would have caused the collapse of the Fundo de Amparo ao Trabalhador (FAT).

Marcio Pochmann has a history of ties with the PT and is close to Lula. Between 2007 and 2012, during the PT governments, he chaired the Institute of Applied Economic Research (Ipea), linked to the Ministry of Planning, providing technical advice for public policies.

However, his management was marked by controversy, with criticism of interventionism and politicization of the body.

The economist has also chaired the Perseu Abramo Foundation, linked to the PT.

Economists have criticized Pochmann’s appointment to the IBGE, citing his ideological view of the economy and lack of statistical preparation. Edmar Bacha, former president of the IBGE, expressed his dissatisfaction with the nomination, stating that an economist does not have the necessary expertise to lead the institute.

Elena Landau, responsible for Simone Tebet’s economic program, also questioned the appointment.

Pochmann assumes the presidency of the IBGE replacing Cimar Azeredo, who held the position on an interim basis.