Rui Costa: ‘I apologize for any mistakes’ – 03/24/2023 – Politics

Target of complaints from Esplanada colleagues and parliamentarians, the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa (PT), said on Thursday night (23) that he seeks to “always evolve” and that in the past he has already received criticism because of his temperament . Through his advisory, he also apologized for any mistakes.

“I have my temperament, I always try to evolve. I apologize for any mistakes, but I always try to get it right: I really want to help President Lula rebuild Brazil. I’m focused on that and I want to contribute”, declared Costa.

Such as Sheet showed, Costa became the target of criticism both from colleagues in the Lula administration and from parliamentarians in the National Congress.

Complaints range from the style of the minister, considered harsh, to practical issues, such as the delay in authorizing appointments of nominees to occupy positions in the federal machine.

Through his advisory, Rui said he was criticized when he was governor of Bahia for his “serious” style.

“Mayors closest to me would say: ‘Governor, you need to learn to say yes and be nicer when saying no’. I would answer: ‘were your requests met?’ ‘Yes’. ‘Was I sincere when I told you no?’ ‘Yes’. ‘Did I string you along?’ ‘No,'” he said.

“That is, I concentrate my time on work. I am frank, I am sincere. Sometimes this clashes in politics. But I think that frankness helps to gain time. Society is anxiously waiting for quick answers”.

Finally, he classified Minister Fernando Haddad (Finance) —with whom he had recent friction over the new fiscal framework— as a “big name” and “a qualified historical figure”. “He has a competent technical team. I want to be at his side, building”.

Complaints about the minister’s posture, however, extrapolate the friction with Haddad. Esplanada colleagues complain about Costa’s style adopted at ministerial meetings.

A kind of government manager, Costa sets a time limit for ministers to intervene, generally three minutes, even gesticulating to stop them when the limit is exceeded. He usually interrupts other ministers in a harsh way, provoking dissatisfaction.

Last week, Rui interrupted Márcio França (Ports and Airports) as the portfolio holder tried to detail his proposal to reduce airfare prices.

Still according to reports from the participants, in a meeting on the 16th, the Chief of Staff scolded colleagues, saying he did not allow parallel conversations.

Due to his temperament, Rui is compared to former president Dilma Rousseff (PT), also known for his rough style at the head of the Civil House. Lula himself compared him this week to the former president, calling the current Chief of Staff “Dilma in pants”.