Over ten ministers offer their seats

Chief of Staff Aloízio Mercadante said Thursday (Nov. 13) that “some ten to 15” ministers have sent letters saying their seats are at the disposal of President Dilma Rousseff. According to him, the procedure is a mere formality recommended by him and colleagues. It is not mandatory and is not meant as an act of resignation.

The exact details as to how many or which of the cabinet members joined the initiative are unknown, because some of the letters were sent directly to the President's office. He explained that this is a form of publicly expressing “the same sentiment present in the presidential campaign”, which was conveyed by the motto, “a new staff [for] a new administration”. “This is [a] discretionary [procedure], and an act of kindness. There are no obligations and no deadlines, though the [current] presidential term of office ends in December 31. It's simply an act of recognition and appreciation,” he said.

The purpose is to let the president feel free to lead the transition into a second term. “She [Rousseff] would still have every power [to reshuffle the cabinet] regardless of this gesture. She was elected under a presidential system and it is at her discretion to change whatever minister and at any time she wants,” said Mercadante.

He said he had not told Rousseff about the procedure because he was planning to do it as a surprise for her when she returns from a G-20 meeting in Australia next Tuesday (Nov. 18). “We were planning [to give her the letters] upon her return. Now that our plans have leaked, they will lose impact. She didn't know [about our plans].” Since he made the suggestion himself, Mercadante said he has turned his seat in as well.

Mercadante told the idea came during a conversation with colleagues, and that Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo and Miriam Belchior, Minister of Planning, Budget, and Management, who were among the proponents, fully agree with the initiative.