Coronavirus

Amid pandemic, top health positions become political bargaining chips

Amid pandemic, top health positions become political bargaining chips
Brazil’s Deputy Health Minister João Gabbardo. Photo: Marcelo Camargo/ABr

After hemorrhaging allies in recent weeks — including former Health and Justice Ministers Luiz Henrique Mandetta and Sergio Moro — President Jair Bolsonaro is looking for new ways to enhance his support base. To ensure some level of backing in Congress, Mr. Bolsonaro is considering offering top-level government jobs in exchange for the backing of center-right political parties that comprise the so-called “Big Center.” 

On Thursday, GloboNews journalist Andréia Sadi indicated that Mr. Bolsonaro will offer the job of Health Surveillance Secretary to a member of one of the “big center” parties. The position is currently held by Wanderson Oliveira, one of the country’s top infectious disease specialists and who was said to be former Health Minister Mandetta’s right-hand man. Other minor government positions have also been offered to “big center” politicians.