Minister was expelled from União Brasil after the party decided to leave the government; nomination attempts to restore relations with the ruling wing of the party
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) announced this Wednesday (17) the departure of Celso Sabino from the Ministry of Tourism. Expelled from União Brasil at the beginning of December, the minister will leave his position before the general April deadline for non-compliance, after the party claims the seat on the Esplanada. To replace him, as determined by reporter André Anelli, from Young Panthe government appointed Gustavo Feliciano, son of federal deputy Damião Feliciano (União Brasil-PB) and former secretary of Tourism and Economic Development of Paraíba,
The announcement was made by Lula during a ministerial meeting at Granja do Torto. The president stated that he would have the ministers until April, but explained that Sabino would need to leave earlier due to a decision by União Brasil. Lula wished good luck to the former minister, who intends to run for a seat in the Senate in 2026 and should resume his mandate as federal deputy for Pará.
The crisis between Sabino and the Union intensified after the party decided to disembark from the PT government in September, preserving only nominees without a mandate. At the end of November, the Ethics Council recommended the expulsion of the minister and the dissolution of the Pará directory, which he presided over at the time. The national executive confirmed the departure on December 8th.
The decision to remain in the government even after party guidance for members to leave positions in federal management weighed against Sabino. He claimed the need to follow agendas linked to COP30, scheduled for Belém, and stated that the expulsion occurred for having remained in the ministry and for “helping Pará”.
The change in Tourism is seen in Planalto as an attempt to rebuild bridges with a wing of União Brasil willing to support the government, including Lula’s re-election in 2026. Despite this, there is no internal consensus in the party. Sectors that defended the break with the PT member criticize the appointment of a new name. Benches like those in São Paulo and Goiás express resistance. Allies of Antônio Rueda, president of the Union, claim that the movement does not represent a formal recomposition with the government, but could signal the beginning of detente.
