Bahian singer Margareth Menezes, who was appointed to take over the Ministry of Culture in the Lula government, was unable to get the name she wanted for the Executive Secretary of the Folder. According to research by Folha de S. Paulo, the artist wanted Zulu Araújo, former president of the Palmares Foundation, as her righthand man.
However, the election was rejected to make way for the PT’s national culture secretary, historian Márcio Tavares. She would have been defended by sociologist Rosângela da Silva, Janja, wife of currently elected Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
Araújo, former director of Olodum and historic leader of Bahia’s black movement, heads the Pedro Calmon Foundation, which is linked to Bahia’s culture minister. In 2007 he was promoted to President of the Palmares Foundation by then Minister Gilberto Gil.
According to the report, despite her fondness for her friend, Margareth accepted Janja’s favourite, the person responsible for defending her appointment as minister. Zulu Araújo is to be appointed head of cabinet.