According to sources close to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the leader has decided to expand the range of candidates for the head of the Casa Civil during his fourth term. This ministry is regarded as the most critical within the federal government, tasked with coordinating ministerial actions and managing relations with federative entities.
Following Lula's electoral victory, the competition for the position had narrowed primarily between former ministers Fernando Haddad and Camilo Santana. While Haddad was initially the preferred choice before the election, Santana gained significant momentum after joining the campaign core in the second round, where he was considered a crucial figure for the win.
Lula has discussed with allies that appointing either of these two figures could be interpreted as an "anointing" of a successor. Interlocutors state that the President is focused on his final term and wishes to avoid prematurely advancing discussions regarding succession.
Consequently, the administration is open to considering other names. Allies have suggested former minister Gleisi Hoffmann as a potential option; she recently lost her Senate election in Paraná and currently holds no mandate. Discussions are also underway regarding how to accommodate the political weight of both Haddad and Santana without signaling a succession plan.
Presidential aides have mentioned the newly proposed Ministry of Public Security, which would be created if a constitutional amendment strengthening federal powers in this area is approved, as well as the Ministry of Education. The latter would be responsible for fulfilling promises such as universalizing full-time schooling and implementing the Pé-de-Meia Universitário program.
Historically, after Lula's first two terms, Dilma Rousseff was positioned as his successor. She served as head of the Casa Civil between 2005 and 2010 and was known as the "mother of the PAC" for leading the Growth Acceleration Program, which concentrated the government's main works and actions.
Sources: CNN Brasil.