Lula’s plea to become minister of communications is denied by a Brazilian senator

Pedro Lucas Fernandes, a Brazilian politician, said on Tuesday that he had turned down President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s offer to serve as minister of communications, a position that includes oversight of the postal service and telecoms.

In a statement, Fernandes, the lower house leader of the conservative party Uniao Brasil, said he was honored by the decision but felt his current position would better serve the nation.

Gleisi Hoffmann, Minister of Government Institutional Relations, stated earlier this month that Lula had appointed Fernandes as the next minister after Uniao Brasil nominated him.

According to leftist Lula, since the previous communications minister, Juscelino Filho, is also a member of the party, Uniao Brasil would have the authority to recommend the new one.

As part of an investigation into the theft of public funds, Filho resigned from his position this month after the charges against him were made public.

The said incidents took place prior to Filho’s appointment to Lula’s administration.