Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva removed three ministers and axed two ministerial posts on Tuesday. The changes, which are the second part of a cabinet reshuffle that started last week, are aimed at bringing in more allies to bolster the government and at streamlining the administration, Reuters reported. Under the latest changes, Science Minister Eduardo Campos, Political Coordination Minister Aldo Rebelo and Social Security Minister Romero Juca will all leave, Lula's spokesman Andre Singer said. Lula replaced Campos with Sergio Rezende, leaving the post with the Brazilian Socialist Party. Other replacements are yet to be announced. Under Tuesday's changes, Jaques Wagner, who heads the government's economic council and has ministerial status, will take on Rebelo's duties as well. Luiz Gushiken, who heads the government's communications strategy, will lose his ministerial status, as will Human Rights Secretary Nilmario Miranda, who will leave the government. Lula said he would make the appointments to fill the vacated positions in his government after he returns from a trip to France at the end of this week. Singer said further changes will be announced next Monday.
