We’re covering Jair Bolsonaro’s controversial pick for the World Bank. The accumulation of problems on the president’s plate. And how the pandemic scrapped a decade of growth in just three months.
Fired Education Minister given shot at World Bank job
After 14 turbulent months as head of the Education Ministry, economist Abraham Weintraub is out of the Brazilian government. He leaves having little or nothing to show for in terms of policymaking, but with a laundry list of controversy — from suggesting Supreme Court justices are “bums” who should be “thrown in jail,” to accusations of racism, and multiple diplomatic gaffes. Amid a mounting political crisis, Mr. Weintraub became the administration’s latest sacrificial lamb.
- Despised by the political establishment, Mr. Weintraub became a far-right folk hero of sorts. And to avoid problems within his base, President Jair Bolsonaro awarded the outspoken anti-globalist with a truly incredible “consolation prize” –– a role in the World Bank.
Puzzling choice. Among other things, the World Bank promotes initiatives aiming at protecting the environment and minorities, as well as fostering trade and globalization — all of which Mr. Weintraub abhors.
- It is also a job that requires negotiation skills — decidedly not Mr. Weintraub’s...