During a ministerial meeting on Tuesday (March 31), Casa Civil Minister Rui Costa publicly questioned government communication efforts aimed at Secom head Sidônio Palmeira. The exchange caused awkwardness, with an intervention from Guilherme Boulos. Palmeira countered by citing challenges from the previous administration's legacy.
The ministerial meeting on March 31, attended by President Lula, featured tension between Casa Civil Minister Rui Costa and Secom head Sidônio Palmeira. Following Lula's opening remarks, Rui Costa reviewed government achievements and voiced doubts about public awareness of them.
"My doubt is whether the people know this, Sidônio. I think we need to focus on comparing and showing. The people have the right to know these numbers and data," Rui Costa stated, seen as a public demand on communications. Palmeira interrupted to ask if he was being blamed, with Presidential Chief of Staff Guilherme Boulos joking that, as Bahians, they would sort it out.
In his later presentation, Sidônio Palmeira blamed challenges on the failure to initially detail the state inherited from Bolsonaro's government. He took over Secom in January 2025, replacing Paulo Pimenta, and stressed the need to synthesize information for effective delivery communication.
Rui Costa, soon to leave for a Senate run in Bahia, emphasized the governance shift under Lula compared to the prior era.
