Minas Gerais begins government transition and Unimontes rectorship reappointment

The government of Minas Gerais has established a timeline and guidelines for the upcoming administration transition. Governor Mateus Simões announced that the process will prioritize transparency, with meetings being recorded and broadcast on institutional channels and Rede Minas. The transition schedule includes meetings between secretariats and the incoming team from October 23 to November 23.

In a separate administrative move, Governor Simões reappointed Professor Wagner de Paulo Santiago as the rector of the State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes) for a second term running from December 2026 to December 2030. Santiago was the most voted candidate in an internal consultation, receiving 80.6% of the votes.

Meanwhile, the transition team for Governor-elect Cleitinho Azevedo, coordinated by Vice Governor-elect Luiz Eduardo Falcão, is addressing significant fiscal challenges. Falcão noted a projected deficit of nearly R$ 9 billion for 2027 and a debt to the Union that has grown from R$ 100 billion to over R$ 200 billion. The incoming team includes 21 members, such as former UFTM rector Ana Lúcia de Assis Simões, tasked with analyzing information to prepare the administration for January 2027.