6 POLITICS January 2011 First steps of the Rousseff administration

Although its first few weeks were marked by disagreements between members of the cabinet, the new administration has begun to lay out its domestic and foreign priorities. The president must quickly establish her authority and communicate clear policies to set the tone of her administration. (Foto:Marcello Casal Jr./ Agencia Brasil)

The President Rousseff coordinates the first meeting of her cabinet.

n a critical issue for balancing the Government sources say the president budget, Finance Minister Guido did not like these public disagreements. OMantega said that the government Although policy debates are welcome in a would veto any amount over US$320 for the democracy, the administration needs to have minimum wage, while Labor Minister Carlos and communicate transparent and coherent Lupi argued that only Congress can decide on policies so as not to unsettle markets and the adjustment. The government obviously undermine its credibility. needs to give Congress a clear understanding of its position. First cabinet meeting This was not the only public disagreement. At her first cabinet meeting on January 14,, Maria do Rosário, Human Rights Minister, President Rousseff addressed the 2011 budget recommended investigation of cases of the and called for cabinet unity. She intends torture and death of the politically persecuted to take a firm stand on public spending; during the military dictatorship. Gen. Jose Elito, in particular, the government will monitor Chief Minister of Institutional Security, spoke administrative costs rigorously. According to against it. O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper, she warned 7 January 2011 POLITICS

that though political appointments will be respected, managers must commit to results and will be held accountable. Photo: Agencia Brasil Ministers will have to set targets for reducing costs and report on progress during the regular cabinet meetings. The problem is that ministries have historically been guided by the interests of party politics. The president’s greatest challenge is to make public services more efficient, cost–effective, and responsive to the needs of the population. Recent flooding in Rio de Janeiro state has Minister of Communications argues for more discussions on the new media regulations. painfully reminded us how inefficient the public sector is. More than 700 people are reported dead, compared to 25 in Media law much worse flooding in Australia. As happens Showing sensitivity to public opinion, the new in many developing countries, most of those administration decided not to immediately affected by the natural disaster are poor send to Congress the draft law to regulate the and live in shantytowns. This tragedy, which media prepared by the Lula administration. recurs regularly in Rio during the rainy season, Members of civil society objected strenuously demonstrates both failure to enforce urban to the draft law, fearing censorship of the media. zoning laws and inadequate government Former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso investment in infrastructure. even said that the way the Lula administration guided the discussion of media regulation and the perception of political meddling in media The president’s greatest affairs raised suspicions of a threat to press freedom. challenge is to make public New Minister of Communications Paulo Bernardo was cautious in addressing the services more efficient, discussion on the media law. In an interview after meeting with President Rousseff, he said that cost–effective, and the bill contains “issues relating to democracy responsive to the needs of itself.” He called for detailed discussion within the government and submission of the draft the population. law to public consultation through the Internet before it is sent to Congress. 8 POLITICS January 2011

Showing sensitivity to public opinion, the

new administration Photo: Agencia Brasil decided not to immediately send to Congress the draft law to regulate the media

prepared by the Lula takes charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. administration.

Closer ties with the U.S. U.S. President Barack Obama. However, ’s Antonio de Aguiar Patriota has become foreign position on some human rights issues is likely minister. Patriota has held a number of prominent to change. Rousseff criticized the fact that diplomatic positions, having been Brazil’s Brazil abstained from voting on a recent U.N. ambassador to the United States (2007–09), human rights resolution. She affirmed that she Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs of would have felt uncomfortable as a woman to the Ministry of External Relations, Cabinet Chief say nothing against the stoning of a Muslim of Foreign Minister , and Secretary woman. General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The expectation is that the new administration will make no bold moves in foreign policy. The expectation is that In an interview with the Washington Post in December, President Rousseff said she the new administration considered the relationship with the U.S. to will make no bold moves be very important to Brazil and she would try to forge closer ties. The president is expected in foreign policy. It will to go to Washington in March to meet with try to forge closer ties with the United States.