# Tarcísio de Freitas Appoints Bolsonaro-Linked Officials to São Paulo Cabinet Five of six newly announced or retained secretaries served under the former president. - **Source:** [Folha – Poder](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8fe55b99-7bd3-43b0-83ac-7d2a18aaf668 ## Strategic Cabinet Appointments Governor Tarcísio de Freitas confirmed three new cabinet members and retained three others for his upcoming term starting January 2027. Notably, five of these six individuals previously served in the administration of former president Jair Bolsonaro. This move signals a deliberate alignment with the political base of his primary mentor. ## Ricardo Salles Returns Former Environment Minister Ricardo Salles will lead the Justice Secretariat. Salles previously gained notoriety during the 2020 pandemic for suggesting the government should use the media's focus on Covid-19 to pass environmental deregulation, famously calling it passing the cattle. His appointment follows his withdrawal from the recent Senate race. ## Technical Leadership Profiles New appointees include engineers Marcos Heleno Guerson and Anderson Ribeiro Correia. Guerson, a former Inmetro president, previously revoked fiscal measures that had irritated Bolsonaro. Correia, a former ITA rector, brings academic experience to the Science and Technology portfolio. Both men represent the technical expertise Tarcísio aims to leverage for his state. ## Continuity in Key Roles Nerylson Lima remains in the Casa Civil, having previously served in Paulo Guedes' economic team. Marília Marton continues as Secretary of Culture, despite pressure from bolsonarista allies to replace her. Geraldo Melo Filho, a former Incra president under Bolsonaro, is maintained as the third Agriculture Secretary of the current administration. ## Shifting Administrative Structures The administration is creating a new Planning Secretariat, likely to be led by Natália Resende, who previously managed the environment and infrastructure portfolios. This restructuring aims to centralize the execution of government programs. The change reflects a strategic shift in how the state manages its complex infrastructure and development projects. ## Presidential Ambitions 2030 Tarcísio has publicly acknowledged his potential candidacy for the presidency in 2030. Allies suggest these appointments are designed to create a competitive governing record that appeals to his conservative base. However, the move has drawn criticism from some bolsonarista voters who remain skeptical of his long-term political trajectory and independence. ## Departing Leadership Figures The reshuffle involves the departure of several key figures, including Jorge Lima from Development and Arthur Lima from Justice. Arthur Lima, a long-time friend of the governor, previously served as Casa Civil chief. These exits mark a significant transition in the inner circle of the governor's administration as he prepares for 2027. ## Focus on Economic Results In his official statement, Tarcísio emphasized that his team prioritizes management capacity and commitment to results. The administration aims to strengthen the state economy, attract new investments, and improve public services. The success of this strategy will be measured by the state's ability to maintain growth while navigating complex national politics. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/poder/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/11/com-ricardo-salles-5-dos-6-secretarios-anunciados-por-tarcisio-atuaram-no-governo-bolsonaro.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._