President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made two notable additions to his cabinet this evening, confirming André Fufuca of the right-wing Progressives party as the new sports minister, and the arrival of the Republicans party’s Silvio Costa Filho as head of the Ports and Airports Ministry.
The maneuver officially brings both the Progressives and Republicans parties into the Lula government for the first time, a gesture that the president hopes will guarantee increased governability and backing from the considerably powerful House Speaker Arthur Lira, himself a member of the Progressives party.
Both outfits are key members of the so-called “Big Center” in the lower house of Brazil’s Congress, the name given to a coalition of ideologically loose — but overwhelmingly right-leaning — parties willing to lend their hefty support to any government, providing they receive prestige and access to public funds in return.
Mr. Fufuca, a 34-year-old trained doctor from the northeastern state of Maranhão, will take over the role of sports minister from Ana Moser, a former Brazilian volleyball star. The Sports Ministry typically doesn’t have the attraction or budget that Big Center parties desire, but the Lula government has reportedly agreed to throw in a sports betting regulation department under the ministry’s umbrella, as a way of sweetening the deal.
Mr. Costa Filho takes over ports and airports minister from Márcio França, who will be moved to a brand new cabinet department for small and medium-sized enterprises.
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