Brasília, February 12, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday (11), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed Senator Fernando Bezerra (PTB-RN) as government leader in the National Congress. This information was provided by Bezerra himself, who considered the nomination of a member of the PTB a "reward for the [party's] unrestricted support of the government" in votes taken in Congress in 2003.

Bezerra visited the Planalto Palace during the afternoon in the company of the president of the PTB, Deputy Roberto Jefferson (RJ), the Minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia, and the leader of the party in the Chamber, Deputy José Múcio Monteiro (PE).

Bezerra replaced Senator Amir Lando (PMDB-RO), who was appointed Minister of Social Security. (DAS)