Liésio Pereira
Reporter Agência Brasil

São Paulo – The minister of Education, Tarso Genro, will resign from the cabinet in order to become the new president of the Workers' Party PT. He substitutes José Genoíno. However, Genro will remain in the cabinet until July 27, when the proposal for the reform of university education in Brazil is completed and he delivers the document to president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. .

In other changes in the PT board of directors, Ricardo Berzoini, who is minister of Labor, will be the new general secretary, substituting Silvio Pereira, who is on a leave of absense while he is investigated by a Congressional Investigation Commission. Humberto Costa, who left the Ministry of Health last week, is the new secretary of Communication, substituting Marcelo Sereno. Finally, deputy José Pimentel (PT-CE) is the new secretary of Finances, substituting Delubio Soares, who is also under investigation.

Acording to Genro, the PT, because it is the main political party in the coalition that is governing the country, has a greater responsibility to maintain balance and governability. "But, the PT is not the owner of the government. The government is the coalition. And it is the president who leads the government, answering to the coalition and, above all, to the people," he said.

Genro said one of the first things he will do is review the financial situation of the PT. He admitted the party has debts. "Our debt runs to over US$8.4 million (R$20 million). That is a lot of money. We have to study ways to deal with it, roll over the debt, organize a financial strategy and see if we will have to make cuts in our operations or will be able to keep our present infrastructure intact," he concluded.

Translator: Allen Bennett