Experts from the ruling Workers Party (PT) who have been ?left out? of communications policy and weren?t given jobs in the relevant ministry have no prospect of gaining influence in the sector, says a senior source. Two months after taking office, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is reportedly ?very satisfied? with Communications Minister Miro Teixeira and solidly behind his actions so far, while recognizing that on occasion he shows lack of experience in the area.
The key is that Miro Teixeira, a longstanding member of the Democratic Labor Party (PDT), is serving to weaken the position of Leonel Brizola, the party?s founder and a source of problems for the ruling coalition. The PDT?s votes are of fundamental importance in Congress, so Mr Teixeira is fundamental to the Government. ?Miro has been highly effective in the political area,? says the source. ?With time he?ll be effective at the Communications Ministry, where he?s starting to sort out the sheep from the goats and pick the really crucial issues to address.?
There?s another important detail: According to this source, Mr Teixeira has received significant assistance in his progress along the learning curve from Development, Industry & Trade Minister Luiz Fernando Furlan, who?s familiar with telecoms issues and until recently sat on the board of Telefonica. Their relationship serves as a counterweight to the positions of another influential ministry official: José Guimarães Palácio, Mr Teixeira?s deputy and a telecoms labor union leader.
Policy
