Geraldo Alckmin sworn in as Brazil's vice president and appointed development minister

Geraldo Alckmin, 70, took office as Brazil's vice president on 1 January alongside President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In addition to the vice‑presidential role, he was named minister of Development, Industry and Commerce, giving him direct influence over the country's economic agenda.

Alckmid’s political career spans four terms as governor of São Paulo, numerous legislative posts and a founding role in the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB). After years as a PSDB rival to Lula, he joined the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) and became Lula’s running mate in the 2022 election, a partnership aimed at uniting centrist and left‑wing voters. During the transition, Alckmid coordinated a 32‑group technical cabinet that delivered a final report outlining budgetary alerts and proposals for regulatory reforms. He warned that the nation faces “retrogression in many areas” and highlighted the challenges awaiting the new administration.