Bolsonaro Fires Regina Duarte from Culture Secretariat, Offers ‘Consolation Prize’

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After days of criticism, on Wednesday, May 20th, President Jair Bolsonaro announced the dismissal of actress Regina Duarte from her position as Secretary of Culture. According to a post on social media, she will take over the command of Cinemateca Brasileira in São Paulo. The name of her replacement as Secretary has not yet been confirmed. Actor Mário Frias, a Bolsonaro supporter, is expected to take the position.

“Regina Duarte reported that she misses her family, but for her to continue contributing to the Government and Brazilian Culture, she will take over the Cinemateca in São Paulo in a few days. Over the coming days, during the transition, the work already accomplished in the past 60 days will be disclosed”, posted Bolsonaro.

Regina’s appointment to the Cinemateca was planned at the Planalto Palace as the actress’ “honorable discharge” from the Culture Secretariat. Regina was notified of her dismissal by the President over breakfast at the Alvorada Palace. The two recorded a video explaining that her departure from the Culture Secretariat was not related to criticism, but rather because she wanted to be with her family.

“Look, guys, I came here to ask the President if he’s really getting rid of me, as I’m reading in the press, and I don’t believe it anymore. Anyway, I wanted him to tell me in person. Are you getting rid of me, Mr. President?” asked the actress.

In turn, the President accused the press of wanting to destabilize the government. “Regina, every week, there are one or two Ministers who, according to the media, are getting fired. The goal is always to destabilize us and try to knock the government down. They’re not going to make it. I would never get rid of you.”

In announcing the change, a little over two months after taking over the Culture department, Regina says that taking over the Cinemateca is “anybody’s dream of communication, audiovisual, cinema and theatre.” In practice, she will take over a post where she will play second fiddle to her replacement in the Secretariat.

“To be there working as a secretary to the government within Culture at the Cinemateca. Could there be a better present than that? Thank you, Mr. President”, says the actress. The President says he wants the best for the actress and that she “will be happier and produce more” working at the Cinemateca near her apartment in São Paulo.” In the video, he also says that he wants the now ex-Secretary to accompany him in all his trips to the capital of São Paulo. “So it’s a double gift. It’s the Cinemateca and being close to my family, which is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Regina, ending the video hugging Bolsonaro.

This Wednesday’s announcement occurred one day after the President shared a video on social media in which actor Mário Frias discusses the possibility of taking over the position of his professional colleague.

The video published on Tuesday by the President is an interview with Frias given to CNN Brasil, broadcast on May 6th, in which the actor says he is rooting for Regina Duarte, but that he is at Bolsonaro’s disposal. “For Jair, whatever he may need, I am here,” says the actor.

In the edited video, Frias defends the President and says that Bolsonaro is “concerned about the people” and “defends the three [governmenal] Powers.”

The interview with the actor occurred on the same day that Regina met Bolsonaro at the Planalto Palace. At the time, the President had publicly expressed his discontent with the Secretary’s actions and reappointed Maestro Dante Mantoavani to command the FUNARTE (National Arts Foundation). The maestro had been removed from office soon after the new Secretary’s inauguration. At the end of the day, the nomination was suspended, but the gesture was perceived in the government as a means to remove Regina.

After the meeting, in yet another move regarded as part of her removal process, the portfolio’s number 2, assistant special secretary, Pedro José Vilar Godoy Horta, was removed from office. The dismissal, published in a special edition of the Federal Gazette on Friday, May 15th, was signed by the Chief of Staff of the Presidency, Walter Braga Netto.

Bolsonaro was annoyed by Regina’s absence from Brasília and believes that the Secretary is sensitive to the “all left” sector. The Secretary, on the other hand, felt discredited and pressured by the government’s “ideological wing.”

Source: O Estado de S. Paulo