Manoel Carlos de Almeida Neto Named Interim Justice Minister After Lewandowski’s Exit

Overview

• An extra edition of the Diário Oficial da União on January 9 formalized Ricardo Lewandowski’s resignation and appointed the ministry’s executive secretary, Manoel Carlos de Almeida Neto, as interim minister.
• Lewandowski’s letter cited personal and family reasons, while reporting points to sustained friction with the Casa Civil and the federal communications office over security strategy and legislation.
• The president is considering separating Justice and Public Security, and discussions center on potential names including Andrei Rodrigues, Vinícius Marques de Carvalho, Wellington César Lima e Silva, Marco Aurélio de Carvalho, Adriana Accorsi, and Francisco Lucas Veloso.
• Lewandowski leaves without passage of the government’s flagship security proposals, the PEC da Segurança Pública and the PL Antifacção, which face resistance and could see further delays during the transition.
• The change is Lula’s 15th ministerial swap in his current term as the government enters a broader reshuffle ahead of the 2026 elections.