Lewandowski Resigns as Brazil’s Justice Minister, Manoel Carlos to Lead on Interim Basis

Overview

• Ricardo Lewandowski submitted his resignation to President Lula effective January 9, formalizing a decision he had signaled late last year.
• Executive secretary Manoel Carlos de Almeida Neto will assume the Justice and Public Security portfolio on an interim basis while a permanent successor is sought.
• In his letter, Lewandowski attributed the departure to personal and family reasons and noted political, conjunctural and budgetary constraints during his tenure.
• The exit intensifies internal discussions on separating Justice and Public Security into distinct ministries as the Public Security constitutional amendment faces an unclear congressional path.
• Names reported as potential successors include PF director-general Andrei Rodrigues, CGU minister Vinícius Marques de Carvalho, Senate leader Rodrigo Pacheco and jurist Wellington César.