Lula Mulls Adding Vice President Alckmin to Finance Ministry to Appeal Centrists

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is reportedly exploring a plan to have Vice President Geraldo Alckmin serve simultaneously as finance minister, should he win a fourth term. Under the proposal Alckmin would keep his vice-presidential duties while assuming control of economic policy next year, a strategy aimed at strengthening Lula’s fiscal image and attracting centrist voters after Senator Flavio Bolsonaro exceeded expectations in the first round.

Alckmin, a veteran centrist who ran against Lula in 2006 and served two terms as governor of Sao Paulo, also led the Development, Industry and Trade Ministry until earlier this year, acting as a key liaison with Washington. Critics note his influence has been limited by the administration’s left-leaning agenda, but supporters argue his business connections could broaden legislative support. Lula previously considered Alckmin for the finance post in 2022 but chose Fernando Haddad instead. The discussion is ongoing and the presidency has not commented.