The writer Anielle Franco, sister of the murdered councilwoman Marielle Franco, is the best positioned to lead the Ministry of Racial Equality in the new cabinet of Brazil’s president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who plans to announce the rest of the names of his team this Thursday.
Anielle Franco has been working in the last month in the transition government team of President Lula, being one of the people in charge of discussing the type of policies in the field of women and equality, reports the newspaper ‘O Globo’.
The murder of Marielle Franco in March 2018 shocked a part of Brazilian society. Afro-descendant, bisexual and a prominent activist for the defense of minority rights, she was riddled with bullets when she was driving through downtown Rio de Janeiro after participating in an event with women.
For the moment only two people have been arrested, retired sergeant Ronnie Lessa, as the perpetrator of the shooting, and former military policeman Elcio Queiroz, who according to some witnesses was seen the same night of the crime in a housing development looking for the house of Jair Bolsonaro, who was called to testify during the investigation.
This Thursday Lula is expected to finally announce the rest of the names of his cabinet, with special interest in knowing the fate of his two main allies in the second round of the elections, Senator Simone Tebet and the elected deputy Marina Silva, favorite for Environment.
Tebet aspires to lead the Social Development portfolio, one of the most sought-after since she is in charge of managing important social programs such as Bolsa Família, with all the political gain it brings for future elections. The Brazilian press reports that she would not be in the government if she is not chosen for this ministry.
The delay in making official ministers already chosen, such as Camilo Santana for Education or Nísia Trindade for Health, responds to Lula’s attempt to satisfy all the interests and electoral promises of those who were his allies in the elections, as well as to achieve a broad base of support in Congress.
For now, the names of Fernando Haddad as new Minister of Economy; José Múcio to head Defense; Flávio Dino to head Justice, Rui Costa, in the Civil House; Mauro Vieira as head of Foreign Affairs and Margareth Menezes, first confirmed Minister and new Minister of Culture, are official.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
