Education Minister Tries to Downplay Bolsonaro's Favor to Pastors

Milton Ribeiro said in audio that he was asked to attend to wishes of religious people

Minister of education Milton Ribeiro is trying to dismiss an audio in which he admitted to prioritizing the demands from pastors—who do not have government positions—at the request of President Jair Bolsonaro.

The audio was released by Folha, and the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo revealed the activities of the pastors.

Brazilian Education Minister Milton Ribeiro delivers a speech during a ceremony in which the salaries of teachers of elementary education were increased, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on February 4, 2022. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP) - AFP

On Tuesday (3), Ribeiro canceled his events and published a statement saying that Bolsonaro only asked him to receive the pastors.

Members of the opposition called on inspection bodies and asked to summon the minister and open an investigation. There was also questioning of his conduct by the evangelical bench – Ribeiro is also a pastor.

On Monday (21), the head of the MEC cited Gilmar Santos and Arilton Moura as intermediaries in the allocation of funds from the National Fund for the Development of Education. In the note, he denies favoring them.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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