An international outcast in the face of a radical shift in diplomacy during the four years of Jair Bolsonaro’s government, Brazil must advance the country’s international reintegration from 2023 and regain the trust of its partners abroad. The task will therefore be great for anyone who takes on the Itamaraty.
As the transition team is being drafted and initial contacts are being made between Chancellor Carlos França and Celso Amorim, Lula’s former minister, there is heated debate within the Itamaraty over who should assume the role of leading the country’s new diplomacy.
The UOL report spoke to some of the country’s key ambassadors, who, on condition of anonymity, assessed the strengths and questions each of the listed candidates could receive, as well as their respective abilities to attune to the presidentelect.
Celso Amorim
Celso Amorim, Lula’s Secretary of State and Dilma Rousseff’s Secretary of Defense, continues to enjoy a high level of respect in Itamaraty. Younger diplomats, who weren’t even in the workforce in the Lula years, find the shame of being abroad exhausting.
The profession’s more mature diplomats do not hide their admiration for his intelligence and global vision, although senior ambassadors criticize the fact that he does not prepare successors and the relations with the South (China, India, South).
Internally at Itamaraty, diplomats were impressed by his ability to organize a trip to Europe for thencandidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and be received by the continent’s key leaders, including Emmanuel Macron.
The tour left unhappy Bolsonarists and monarchists within the Itamaraty, especially given the realization that doors were closed to the current president. In Amorim’s case, age is a factor raised as a questionable point. But even at 80, he still has a keen ear for Lula.
Aloysio Mercadante
Another name mentioned for taking on the Foreign Ministry is Aloizio Mercadante, which is seen as a very prepared name that would give the Chancellery authority within the government structure. Its ability to engage in dialogue with other ministries is an issue that draws attention. But is perceived as a sometimes categorical politician who has difficulty using diplomatic language carefully.
During Dilma’s administration, Mercadante would have been behind frustrated efforts to create trust posts for political officials in the ministry’s structure, which is still staffed exclusively by publicly qualified diplomats.
Marina Silva
Although her name is more often used to fill a position directly related to the environment, Marina Silva is also on the list of candidates for chancellorship.
Marina Silva inspires respect among diplomats, largely for her ability to bring strong legitimacy to Brazil’s environmental foreign policy.
But his profile would eclipse a number of other areas of diplomacy that, despite their importance, might get little attention from the chancellor: China, trade, investment, international peace and security, UN reform, Latin America, the US. , African and Arab countries.
Maria Laura da Rocha
As a career diplomat, Maria Laura da Rocha arouses sympathy in part of the Itamaraty for the symbolism of representing a large part of the Brazilian population women and mulattoes in the Chancellery.
His long career is focused on Europe, having served three times in Paris, three times in Rome, Germany, Russia, Hungary and Romania.
But there are those who warn that such a decision could pose an obstacle for Europe to assume a position that will have a challenging tenure.
Fernando Hadada
Other names mentioned are Fernando Haddad, who expresses respect for the work done as Minister of Education and for the bond of trust with Presidentelect Lula.
It is also characterized by the combination of political experience and a solid academic base, although it does not specialize in diplomacy.
Hussein Kalout
Hussein Kalout approached Mercadante’s group during the election campaign. But the fact that he served during Michel Temer’s government is viewed internally at Itamaraty as an obstacle to him being accepted by PT members or former Lula and Dilma allies.
Despite knowing how to impress, Kalout is compared among diplomats to former Chancellor Celso Lafer. That is, a personality with a strong academic base. But it would still need more “on the ground” experience, especially at a time when it must grapple with the challenges the country must face to reassert itself in the world.