Jaques Wagner: Rousseff the one providing basis for economic policy

After speculation over Joaquim Levy's possible departure from his post as Finance Minister, the president's Chief of Staff Jaques Wagner said Friday (Dec. 18) that the does not know whether President Dilma Rousseff has made a decision on Levy's replacement.

“It's her decision. I'm not sure if she wants, or has has decided on, the replacement,” he added. He was asked about the topic while leaving a meeting at National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CBBB in the original). In his view, “the one providing the basis for the economic policy” is Rousseff.

“It seems that yesterday [Joaquim Levy] said goodbye, and I'm not sure if he was joking or being serious. At any rate, the decision is to be made in private between the two. I don't know if they'll meet today,” he said. “I'd rather wait. I'm not the one to make that decision”.

In Jaques Wagner's opinion, a minister's mission has its political and technical side, since the cabinet member must talk to the Parliament, investors and workers. “It's up to the president to choose the best profile. I'm not really fond of this political-technical divide,” he said. “Pointing the rifle at this or that minister is a mistake. The one providing the basis for the economic policy, the one to make that decision, is her.”

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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