PT minister ends term in political articulation portfolio; Lula discarded Noleto and is looking for a PT name with transit in Congress to take over
(PT) leaves this Tuesday (March 31, 2026) as head of the SRI (Secretariat of Institutional Relations) to run for the Senate in Paraná in 2026. His replacement must be a PT member, but the hammer has not yet been dropped. This Monday (March 30, 2026), she said goodbye to the journalists at the press committee at Palácio do Planalto, in Brasília.
The main names being considered for the vacancy are (Minister of Education), (Minister of Social Development) and (Leader of the Government in the Chamber). According to Gleisi, an interim minister can take over until the president (PT) decides on the incumbent. In this case, the number 2 in the portfolio, Marcelo Almeida Cunha Costa, a career diplomat, would take over.
The minister said that she sought to maintain a relationship “frank and open” with the press and highlighted, in a tone of balance, recent government actions, such as strengthening the fight against violence against women, with integration between ministries, the Judiciary and security forces.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) dismissed Olavo Noleto, executive secretary of the Council, who was appointed to the position. He was Gleisi’s recommendation. The decision was taken in the last few days, on the eve of the non-compatibilization deadline. Lula is looking for a name with wide circulation in the Legislature: on the left, on the right and, mainly, in the Centrão.
The Institutional Relations Secretariat is responsible for the political coordination between the federal government and the National Congress. It is up to the department to mediate the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative, negotiate support, build majorities and facilitate the government’s agenda in both Houses.
It is one of the most strategic ministries in Planalto. Without efficient articulation, the government loses its ability to approve measures, release amendments and keep its allied base cohesive.
Wellington Dias is the favorite among PT members. The problem is that he was assigned to nationally coordinate Lula’s re-election campaign. If he goes to SRI, the expectation is that No. 2 of Social Development will take over the ministry.
GLEISI NA SRI
Gleisi took over SRI on March 10, 2025 and spent just over 1 year in the position. She replaced the current Minister of Health.
The main victory was the . The text had been blocked in Congress for 3 months and was approved in 10 days under the direct coordination of the minister. Gleisi took on the stress of negotiating with more refractory sectors of the Chamber.
She also defended the benefit for those earning up to R$5,000. Upon taking office, he classified the measure as urgent and placed it as a priority on the legislative agenda.
The defeats, however, were louder. The most emblematic was the presidential decree that intended to increase IOF rates. It was the first time in 32 years that deputies and senators suspended a measure of this type. The episode exposed the fragility of the government base in Congress and caused embarrassment to Planalto.
The government was also unable to stop the advancement of the Dosimetry PL — the so-called January 8 amnesty — even with contrary guidance from the Executive. The Senate took up the matter in December. Squid .
Another setback came with environmental licensing. Congress concluded voting on the new framework, relaxing the rules for issuing licenses, contradicting the government’s position. Also .
