Elena Landau rules out participating in Tebet’s team in Planning

Economist Elena Landau says she will not participate in the future government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). She was mentioned in recent days as a strong candidate to occupy the executive secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Budget, which was with Senator Simone Tebet (MDB-MS).

Landau was the coordinator of Tebet’s economic program in this year’s presidential race and her nomination was taken for granted by those following the transition of government.

“It never crossed my mind to go to the government, it is an issue that was not on the table”, said Elena to Sheet. “Tebet is an excellent name, and I will always help her with whatever she needs, but my departure [para o governo] It was never discussed because everyone knows my position.”

Landau supported Tebet in the hope of building a third way in a polarized election and supported Lula in the second round following his candidate’s guidance. She was a strong critic of the Bolsonarist administration and is known as a defender of more liberal management and structuring reforms, a position that opposes the PT view, which sees the State as an inducer of the economy and a partner of companies.

She was Director of Privatization at BNDES during the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Her name was associated for decades with the PSDB, from which she distanced herself after the party adopted dubious positions on reforms, such as the Social Security. Since then, she has been active in the Livres movement, which defends economic and social liberalism.

Tebet confirmed his participation in the Lula 3 government this Tuesday (27) after a negotiation to strengthen the portfolio’s attributions. Now, the senator is running out of time to form the first echelon of the ministry before taking office, on January 1st.

There is an expectation that among the portfolio’s members are professionals who participated in the making of its government program, considered one of the most complete in proposing economic measures.

The high number of contributions made by women was also highlighted on the list and in the elaboration of the text. Within this perspective, Tebet has options for structuring a team with strong female participation, a promise made by the Lula government that fell short of expectations.

Among the 19 members already announced to compose the economic team, there are six women.

Including Senator Mara Gabrilli (PSDB-SP), Tebet’s deputy on the ticket, and Landau, a dozen women, including economists and specialists in the most diverse areas, officially contributed to Tebet’s campaign for the Presidency, and may be invited to compose the team in Planning.

Sandra Rios, for example, works on issues related to international trade agreements and foreign trade. Vanessa Canado is a specialist in taxation. Laura Machado works with public policies in the area of ​​social assistance. Juliana Damasceno is a researcher on public finance issues.

The lawyer Vera Monteiro, who has several works in the field of public procurement, also made contributions. Wanda Engels, whose most recent book focuses on issues related to poverty and inequality. Susana Kakuta, who works with technological innovation. As well as Natalie Unterstell, whose research addresses climate and environmental issues.