Minister of the General Secretariat of the Republic states that he discovered that there are those who take advantage of rumors of exchanges on the Esplanada to divert the government’s problems
The Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Márcio Macêdo, denied this Tuesday (Dec 17, 2024) there will be a “government conversation about ministerial reform”.
“The position I hold today belongs to the President of the Republic. So, he takes and puts whoever he wants, whenever he wants. That’s the nature of politics, there’s no problem with that. If he wants to reshuffle, if he wants to remove whoever he wants, that’s a prerogative of presidentialism and democracy”, he stated.
According to the Poder360Meanwhile, President Lula is studying musical chairs inside the Esplanada to accommodate leaders of the Centrão and parties such as the MDB, Republicans and PSD.
One of those affected would be Márcio Macêdo. His seat would go to the minister of Secom (Secretariat of Communication), Paulo Pimenta. PT’s marketer, Sidônio Palmeira, should take Pimenta’s place.
Nothing will be defined until Carnival. Macêdo states that the discussion could begin in mid-April 2025. Events external to the federal government, such as the elections for the Presidency of the National Congress and the PT, could influence these changes.
Still in line with the possibility of replacement, Macêdo declared that, in conversation with interlocutors, he discovered that he had enemies at the top of the government. “I thought I didn’t have enemies, then I discovered there are a lot”, declared.
“There are people who are taking advantage of this to divert problems elsewhere and there are people who want to wear you down in the political process. This is part of politics. I live with this very calmly.”these.
CONTINUED INSTALLMENT BENEFIT
Macêdo states that the changes that will be made to the BPC (Continuous Payment Benefit) will be made to reduce the number of people who need the benefit, but are not having access. This is one of the concerns of social movements.
“The BPC cannot stop being an individual benefit, a concern for the movements. Regarding income and the concept of the family group, movements want a single ceiling that remains the same income, so as not to have any distortions. Do not change the concept of a person with a disability, because BPC cannot be restricted to the concept of someone unable to work”, declared.
Currently, the BPC is granted to seniors aged 65 or over who were unable to contribute towards retirement or to people with disabilities of any age who are unable to work. They must also have income per person in the family group equal to or less than 25% of the minimum wage.
Another demand from the movements is to change the minimum wage. Macêdo assured that the president will increase payments above inflation.
The minister states, however, that for the adjustment to be real, all Powers, as well as the military and the financial market, need to “do your part” like the president is doing.
MINISTERIAL MEETING
the minister of SRI (Secretariat for Institutional Relations), Lula wants to hold a review meeting with the ministers of his government on Friday (Dec 20).
It is not certain whether the meeting will be in São Paulo or Brasília, as the PT member is at his home in Alto de Pinheiro, west of SP, where he is recovering after being discharged from Hospital Sírio-Libanês.
The head of the General Secretariat of the Presidency said that the head of the Executive will undergo a medical evaluation on Thursday (Dec 19) and intends to return to the federal capital to return to work. Macêdo advocates that Lula rest to recover his health. “I think every human being has to have some time to rest, to spend time with his family, to be able to live, and he works too much”he declared.
As for the PT member’s popularity and the possibility of him running for re-election in 2026, Macêdo says he hopes Lula will be president again. For him, the political field trusts him and his dialogue with organized movements in the country is strong.
