Lula’s new ministers take office at closed event

In an atypical way, President Lula (PT) decided to swear in this Wednesday morning (13) the two new ministers of his government in a closed ceremony in the PT’s office, at Palácio do Planalto.

Federal deputy André Fufuca (PP-MA), an ally of the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), took charge of the Ministry of Sports in place of Ana Moser. Federal deputy Silvio Costa Filho (Republicanos-PE) took over as Minister of Ports and Airports in place of Márcio França (PSB-SP), who this morning was appointed to the newly created Ministry of Micro and Small Businesses.

The event, which was not on Lula’s official agenda as an inauguration ceremony, just as a meeting, contrasted with similar events, with speeches, presence of authorities and wide publicity.

The scenario has to do with the behind-the-scenes of the arrival of the new ministers. Both are from parties that supported Jari Bolsonaro’s ticket in the 2022 elections. The “dance of chairs” in the Ministries concluded the alliance between the government and the Centrão so that government agendas have greater ease of advancement in Congress, but created friction between Lula’s allies and Centrão representatives.

Ana Moser, for example, who was removed from her position to make way for Fufuca, declared that she is hurt by the PT and denied participating in the inauguration ceremony.

Among members of the Republicans and the PP, there are a series of differences regarding support for the Lula government. The Republicans, for example, accommodate a series of important Bolsonaro allies, such as Tarcísio de Freitas, governor of São Paulo, and senator Damares Alves.

This Tuesday (13), Senator Ciro Nogueira (PI), national president of the party – who has spoken out against the party’s entry into government –, stated that he expects Fufuca’s removal after taking office. “I am against our party’s participation in this government. I hope André [Fufuca] today with his request to remove himself from party decisions. He is president of the Maranhão directory, I asked him to send the letter today, otherwise he will have to be removed. I hope it’s his attitude”, said Nogueira in an interview with Jovem Pan News, this Monday (11).