Fernando Haddad’s chances of becoming Brazil’s finance minister are said to be rising

The former mayor of São Paulo and defeated candidate for the São Paulo state government in 2022, Fernando Haddad, is reportedly getting closer and closer to being chosen as Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s (PT, left) Finance Minister.

Haddad was Minister of Education with a law degree from the University of São Paulo, a master’s degree in economics, and a doctorate in philosophy (2005-2012).

With political activities in the PT for decades, he has the profile sought by Lula to lead the economy in his administration.

1) he was a former minister and knows how the public machine works;

2) he knows Brasilia and the dialect of power and Congress;

3) he can speak the language of the markets when necessary.

Haddad has some obstacles against him that may prevent him from succeeding in his nomination.

All of these are being weighed by Lula da Silva.

For example, Haddad campaigned very hard against Tarcisio de Freitas (Republicans), who won the race for governor of the State of São Paulo.

It may not be a good solution to have a Finance Minister whose relationship with the governor of São Paulo is not the best.

For some observers, part of the business community and Faria Lima, it would be a surprise to award Haddad.

He lost reelection as mayor of São Paulo in 2016. He lost the presidential race to Bolsonaro in 2018. And the election for governor in 2022.

Many credit these defeats to Haddad’s “tough waistline” in making policy and sympathetically presenting himself to his interlocutors.

Still, he has been called by da Silva to important meetings since the PT victory on October 30, even without being part of the coordination team.

Lula’s list of possible nominees for the Treasury has only grown in the last few days.

Poder360 counted, besides Haddad, at least 8 other names (some mentioned only as trial balloons):

Alexandre Padilha (PT-SP);
Camilo Santana (PT-CE);
Geraldo Alckmin (PSB);
Henrique Meirelles (União Brasil);
Jaques Wagner (PT-BA);
Jorge Viana (PT);
Rui Costa (PT);
Wellington Dias (PT-PI).

Da Silva’s decision should not be this week. He will only begin to define his names now, sabbatizing possible candidates and solving more urgent problems, as a way to guarantee resources to pay campaign promises in 2023.

The president-elect must go to Egypt for the COP27 climate conference. He should possibly embark on Nov. 13 (Sunday), and may stay there for 3 days.

He will varnish even more the image of a Latin American leader among heads of state of developed countries.

With information from Poder360

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