President Lula plans broad reform for 2024

After promoting some changes and making adjustments to ministries in the first year of government, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is preparing a broader ministerial reform for the beginning of 2024. The second year of his term coincides with the municipal elections, which could shuffle the political chessboard and require musical chairs.

After the first year of government, the PT member had already announced that he would evaluate the work of each assistant, replacing the parts he deemed necessary. On the 20th, Lula called his ministers to a meeting in which all 38 assistants were responsible for presenting an assessment of 2023 and expectations for the new year, addressing the objectives planned for their ministries in 2024.

The second change occurred in July, with the replacement of Daniela Carneiro (RJ) by Celso Sabino (PA) at the Ministry of Tourism. In this case, the objective was to attract the support of the União Brasil bench in the Chamber of Deputies.

In this new phase, the first change that the president will need to make is in the Courts, after the approval of Flávio Dino for the vacancy in the Federal Supreme Court (STF), starting in February. In addition to replacing the future minister of the Court, the head of Planalto is still considering dividing the portfolio into two: one for Justice and the other for Public Security.

Another possible casualty in the current configuration is the Minister of Defense, José Múcio, who had already warned Lula about his departure some time ago, but extended his stay at the request of the PT member, given the difficulties of finding a successor.

Other ministers, however, may be on the tightrope of the Esplanada. This is the case of Luciana Santos (Science and Technology). The PCdoB’s space in the first tier has been questioned due to the weight of the bench in the National Congress. Lula’s aides believe that the vacancy could be given to a party with more representation in the Legislature.

Furthermore, Luciana could leave the government to run for mayor of Olinda (PE), as could the chief minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Márcio Macedo, who could also run as a candidate for the government of Sergipe.

Throughout this first year, the government tried to consolidate a base in the Chamber of Deputies, but was unable to sow seeds in fertile soil. Federal management suffered major blows with the overturning of presidential vetoes on laws considered a priority for the Executive, such as payroll tax relief and the time frame for indigenous lands.

There are, on the other hand, the holders of portfolios dear to President Lula, who must maintain a secure position in the government, despite possible changes. Among them are Fernando Haddad (Finance), Nísia Trindade (Health) and Camilo Santana (Education), names consolidated in the Lula government.

New ministerial configuration

From the inauguration until the month of December, a new portfolio was created: the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business, to accommodate the ally Márcio França (PSB). As a result, the Lula 3 government ministry has 38 portfolios.

The creation of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship occurred as a consolation prize for France, because the president handed over the Ministry of Ports and Airports to the Republicans, in the hands of federal deputy Silvio Costa Filho (PE).

Former governor of São Paulo and possible candidate in the next elections, France had influence over the Port of Santos, his political stronghold. However, Lula had to hand over the portfolio to Centrão, without being able, however, to leave an ally like France in the rain. In 2022, the PSB gave up running for Mayor of São Paulo to support Fernando Haddad. France then ran for the Senate, but lost the only open seat to astronaut Marcos Pontes, from the Bolsonarist PL.

Another department that was replaced this year was Sports, with the departure of former volleyball player Ana Moser and the entry of deputy André Fufuca (PP-MA).

With four changes, Lula removed two women from his top rank, which provoked criticism from the electorate and from PT activists themselves.

The president, who began his third term with a record of 11 women in ministries, cut that number and today has only nine female assistants, out of 38. Until then, the record was held by Dilma Rousseff (PT), who had 10 women heading departments.

The head of the federal Executive has been under pressure due to this reduction. In addition to the electorate and First Lady Janja herself, there are also constraints from other sides, such as the black movement, which also demands more space on the Esplanada dos Ministérios and shows fear of losing the momentum it has already conquered.

*With information from Metrópoles

Read more:

Lula celebrates approval of tax reform

Lula has already approved an alternative measure to tax relief, says Haddad

Bahia elects 1st openly gay president among teams from Series A to D