The president () ordered the beginning of negotiations with parties from the allied base to carry out a ministerial reform. The expectation is that conversations will take place over the next two weeks so that the redesign of the first level of government can be drawn up after the elections for the presidencies of the Chamber and the .
Lula met on Thursday (16) with the Minister of Institutional Relations, . The president instructed the assistant to discuss with the parties on the Esplanade of Ministries possible changes in the portfolios they already occupy, in addition to other demands.
The order given by the president gives clearer outlines to the changes that Lula intends to make for the second half of his term. Until then, there were bets on specific changes to more comprehensive changes, including replacements that were restricted to the PT, at first.
The assessment carried out at Palácio do Planalto also points to a longer process than that envisaged by the Minister of the Civil House, . Last week, he even stated that the date would coincide with the next ministerial meeting, scheduled for the 20th.
“The president is focusing on improving management. Therefore, there is an indication that the changes that the president wants to make may be possible this month, so that whoever enters can have more time to make changes that the president expects”, said Rui, at the time .
This week, one of the strategic changes in the government for the second half of the term has already been made official with Secom (Secretariat of Social Communication) taking over from Paulo Pimenta.
There has been an expectation since last year for new exchanges on the Esplanada that include more parties from the allied base, as a way of expanding support for the government in Congress and laying the foundations for an alliance that should support the government’s candidacy in the 2026 presidential election.
Based on the results of the municipal elections, the president’s allies are betting on expanding the space occupied by the Chamber of Deputies. Lula himself is expected to meet with the party president, , next week.
In addition to the PSD of the Chamber, there is a focus on accommodating the presidents of the Chamber, (-AL), and the Senate, (PSD-MG). They will leave command of both Houses in February.
The future of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira (PSD-MG), will depend on these conversations. A former ally of the minister, Pacheco warned the president that Silveira’s stay no longer meets the party’s demands.
Silveira would have to be reassigned to another portfolio, if he is replaced by Pacheco and the president wishes to keep him in the government. The Minister of Mines and Energy built a close relationship with Lula and First Lady Rosângela da Silva, known as Janja.
Still according to Lula’s allies, the president of the PT, (PR), could assume a ministry in the reform. PT members demand the General Secretariat of the Presidency for her in place of Márcio Macedo.
His name is also mentioned for the ministries of Social Development and Women.
One of those responsible for this articulation, Padilha is also mentioned in conversations about changes in the government. One of the possible destinations would be the Ministry of Health, which he already commanded.
Another possible portfolio would be Defense. The current minister, José Múcio Monteiro, has already said that he does not intend to stay until the end of the government. According to reports, he has already suggested some names to Lula for his place. Among them, Padilha. Another name would be that of the executive secretary of the Ministry of Development, Márcio Elias Rosa. Diplomats are also considered for the position.
The president’s allies have stated that the reform will not be broad. But it may include vice-president Geraldo Alckmin (PSB). In this case, the conversation must take place directly between the president and his vice.
The mayor of , (), met with Padilha on Thursday to discuss the party’s space in government. Before that, he met with Lula.
Despite the expectation that conversations will be concluded by the election for the leadership of the Chamber and the Senate, this schedule could be frustrated, as happened in the articulations for the center’s entry into the government.
Since the beginning of his government, Lula has already fired six ministers, including the most recent change at Secom, made official on Tuesday (14). In the first year of government, he made changes to three departments to serve the center: Sports, Tourism and Ports and Airports.
