Rousseff swears in ten ministers and asks for commitment

President Dilma Rousseff has sworn into office the ten ministers who have joined the government or been relocated as part of the government reshuffle announced last week. In the inauguration ceremony on Monday (Oct. 5) she said, “I recommend full commitment, because we have Brazil to rule until 2018.”

In her address, the president again said the move will improve government spending management and is typical of a coalition government that needs to reorganize internal forces.

“We all want a fitter state that can carry out the much-needed fiscal rebalancing, a crucial step to resume growth. We are committed to this rebalancing of accounts, inflation control, and restoring of investor confidence,” the president said. “We're focused on the sole purpose of making, as soon as possible, the transition to a new stage in our development based on job creation and opportunities for Brazilians.”

The changes in the government staff, which downsized the cabinet from 39 to 31 ministers in a move that included cuts and merges, were announced along with a package of administrative measures to reduce government spending—such as cutting 30 national secretariats and extinguishing 3,000 appointment-based positions, a 10% pay cut for ministers, spending caps on air travel, per diem rates and telephone calls, and revising rental agreements and service contracts.

“This is a set of actions that are being implemented now, but which will have new developments. We're trying to meet the justified calls for a government that is more efficient, more focused and able to ensure wiser spending,” Rousseff said.

During the ceremony at Palácio do Planalto, ten ministers were sworn into office: Ricardo Berzoini (Government Secretariat); Miguel Rossetto (Ministry of Labor and Social Security); Nilma Lino Gomes (Ministry for Women, Racial Equality and Human Rights); Marcelo Castro (Ministry of Health); Aloizio Mercadante, (returning to the Ministry of Education); Jaques Wagner (Chief of Staff); Aldo Rebelo (Ministry of Defense); Celso Pansera (Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation); Hélder Barbalho (Ministry of Ports) and André Figueiredo (Minister of Communications).

Also sworn in were General Marcos Antonio Amaro dos Santos as Military Chief of Staff, a position that will replace the former Office of Institutional Security; and the Special Secretaries for Social Security (Carlos Gabas); Labor (José Lopez Feijó); Women (Eleonora Menicucci); Racial Equality (Ronaldo Barros); and Human Rights (Rogério Sottili).

The president thanked the ministers leaving the government today and wished them success with their next ventures. “Once again I profusely thank all partners and friends that are leaving my staff. It was an honor to have you on board. I know you all have a strong commitment to Brazil and the future of the country, so I am sure that whatever task you pursue, you'll remain devoted to doing your best to deliver a fairer and more developed country.”

Translated by Mayra Borges