Tarcísio’s team probes Paulo Guedes to join the Government of SP

Assistants of the governor-elect of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), probed the Minister of Economy of the Jair Bolsonaro (PL) government, Paulo Guedes, about exercising the position of Secretary of Finance in the state from 2023.

According to members of the transition team, there was no formal invitation, as Guedes has not yet signaled whether he would accept.

In any case, Tarcísio’s allies sent word to Guedes that he would be the name desired by the governor elected to the post. Tarcísio’s intention was anticipated by the newspaper O Globo.

Another option evaluated is that Guedes acts as an adviser or special advisor to Tarcísio, but without the commitment to be secretary – which could make it easier for him to accept the mission. This is because allies of the elected governor consider it difficult for Guedes to spend even more time away from his business and his career in the private sector, in addition to weighing the fact that he would have to move to São Paulo. The minister is from Rio de Janeiro.

In any case, the example of Henrique Meirelles (União Brasil), who was Finance Minister under Michel Temer (MDB) and later Finance Secretary under João Doria (former PSDB), is cited as a precedent.

Tarcísio and Guedes have a relationship because they were colleagues at the Esplanada during the Jair Bolsonaro government. But, more than that, Tarcísio surrounded himself with Guedes advisors in the campaign and in the transition, indicating his consideration for the Minister of Economy.

The best example is Guilherme Domingos Afif (PSD), who is the general coordinator of the transition and commanded Tarcísio’s government plan in the election. Afif was Guedes’ special advisor at the Ministry of Economy.

In addition to him, two other former advisers to Guedes contributed to the government plan and are now part of the transition: Samuel Kinoshita and Jorge Lima.

After Bolsonaro’s defeat by Lula (PT) and Tarcísio’s victory in São Paulo, there was an expectation that the former minister would host names from the federal government in his future management. So far, however, Tarcísio has only made one concession to Bolsonaristas — he has announced federal deputy Capitão Derrite (PL-SP) as the future Secretary of Public Security.