Rousseff Strengthens PMDB in Ministerial Reshuffle

12/24/2014 - 08h00

President Dilma Rousseff has chosen her new team of ministers. It will have greater influence in Congress, and it consolidates the hegemony of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) over the infrastructure sector.

Rousseff's own Workers' Party (PT) has relinquished control of several ministries, with allies of ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva being pushed towards the sidelines.

Rousseff announced the reshuffle on Tuesday, with PMDB members being named at the head of six ministries: agriculture, fisheries, tourism, civil aviation, ports, and mines and energy.

The PMDB has improved its hand both in terms of quality and quantity. Before, it controlled five ministries, and now it has swapped the social security portfolio for ports, which is of greater political prestige.

Rousseff's aim is to improve dialogue with the legislature, an issue which was a major headache during her first term. The ministers she has selected have more solid support from their respective blocs in Congress and in the Senate.

A stronger congressional base is a strategic priority of the government, in order to meet the challenges arising from next year, especially regarding the economy.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE