Piauí Governor Rafael Fonteles retains Finance Secretary

Rafael Fonteles, the re-elected Governor of Piauí, announced that the current State Finance Secretary, Emílio Joaquim de Oliveira Júnior, will remain in his position for the upcoming term. Fonteles emphasized the importance of fiscal balance to sustain public policies in the state.

Fonteles, who is frequently cited as a potential candidate for the Ministry of Finance in President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration, highlighted Piauí’s economic indicators. He noted that the state leads Brazil in public investment relative to revenue, maintains a B+ payment capacity according to the National Treasury, and keeps personnel expenses controlled at 38%.

Additionally, Fonteles stated that Piauí is one of only two Brazilian states without debt to the federal government, with a total indebtedness rate less than half that of states such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. While Fonteles has received positive signals from economic sectors regarding his potential federal role, he denied having discussed a position in the Lula administration.