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Brazil's Mantega applauds Lula for decreasing attacks on central bank

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was right to tone down his criticism of the central bank and if he taps Gabriel Galipolo to head the monetary authority later this year that would be an outstanding choice, his former financing czar informed Reuters.

Guido Mantega, who was financing minister during part of Lula's 2003-2010 government, stated in an interview on Monday that the leftist leader has periodically sought his recommendations on economic matters.

In June, Mantega was among financial experts who consulted with the president and advised him to stop assaulting reserve bank chief Roberto Campos Neto for what Lula saw as Brazil's exceedingly high rate of interest, presently at 10.50%.

Lula and Campos Neto, who was selected by far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, had a public spat in June after the reserve bank stopped briefly a monetary relieving cycle regardless of federal government pressure to continue decreasing rates.

Lula did lower his tone on the advice of the economists.

There was excessive noise due to Lula's criticism, so I. thought this example had to stop, stated Mantega, a. long-time advocate of more advancement spending, which did not. endear him to financial markets.

Mantega was Brazil's longest-serving finance minister, from. 2006 to 2015, working under both Lula and his follower, Dilma. Rousseff, who commanded a significant recession and was. impeached in 2016.

Mantega, who believes the Lula administration is on a course. to stabilize public accounts, stated he supports Lula's potential. election of Gabriel Galipolo as central bank governor when. Campos Neto's term ends in December.

Galipolo, a former executive secretary at the financing. ministry, has been the central bank's monetary policy director. because 2023, when Lula selected him a director. He is widely. viewed as the front-runner to change Campos Neto.

Mantega argued that the next central bank head need to be. skilled and have a deep understanding of macroeconomics, in. addition to being near to Lula and having his trust.

Galipolo has that profile, stated Mantega. He would be an. exceptional choice.

NO BRASKEM, NO VALE

Lula has actually kept Mantega as an casual adviser however had the. intent of designating him for a position at a company.

In current months, Mantega was sounded out by the government. about becoming a board member at petrochemical producer Braskem. , which is managed by conglomerate Novonor and. state-run oil giant Petrobras.

However the talks have actually not progressed, he stated.

I don't understand what's going on, I haven't gotten any. extra details about it, Mantega stated.

In January, media reports - consisting of - suggested. that Lula took part in discussions about mining huge Vale. and wanted Mantega to be designated to the business's. board or perhaps as its CEO.

Vale was privatized in the 1990s and has actually a dispersed. ownership, but the government still applies considerable impact. as its primary shareholders include a pension fund operated by. state-run loan provider Banco do Brasil.

Mantega stated he would not accept a role at the company.

There is no possibility, he stated when inquired about Vale. I have. no wish to work there..

(source: Reuters)