The Minister of Social Security, Wolney Queiroz (PDT), announced this Thursday, 2, that he will not contest the October elections and will continue in office. The decision was requested by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
In a note released by the minister’s office, Wolney stated that he will remain in the portfolio to prioritize the fight against fraud at the National Social Security Institute (INSS) and the reduction of service queues. “The decision responds to a direct request from President Lula for the minister to prioritize the continuity of the mission of caring for our retirees”, says the text.
Wolney was tipped to run for federal deputy for Pernambuco. The deadline for ministers and other public office holders to no longer be eligible to contest the election ends this Saturday, 4th.
The minister took over Social Security in May 2025, after the departure of Carlos Lupi (PDT). Lupi left office amid the scandal of irregular deductions in INSS pensions, investigated by the Federal Police. The scheme would have withdrawn around R$6.3 billion from INSS beneficiaries between 2019 and 2024 through unauthorized associative discounts.
The CPMI created in Congress to investigate fraud ended its work last week without approving the final report. The government base rejected the text that called for the indictment of 216 people, including former minister Lupi.
Wolney was a federal deputy for the PDT for six consecutive terms starting in 1995. He was unable to be re-elected in 2022 and took over as executive secretary of Social Security before being placed in charge of the department.
