SAO PAULO/BRASILIA — Brazilian investor and former banker Marcelo Kayath could be considered for Brazil’s finance ministry if Senator Flavio Bolsonaro defeats leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in next month’s presidential election, Flavio’s brother and campaign adviser Eduardo Bolsonaro told Reuters on Friday.
Eduardo Bolsonaro described Kayath as an “excellent choice,” citing his extensive experience in international finance and his strong ties with major U.S. financial institutions. Kayath founded investment advisory firm QMS Capital and spent two decades at Credit Suisse, where he served as managing director for Latin America.
“He is an expert at selling Brazil’s story abroad and attracting foreign investment, which is exactly what the country needs right now,” Eduardo Bolsonaro said, adding that Kayath was among several names being considered for the post.
Kayath said his priority would be to help develop a sustainable-growth strategy aimed at addressing Brazil’s economic challenges while preserving social programs and protecting vulnerable communities.
He supported targeted reforms to public spending, saying any reductions should be “surgical, not indiscriminate.” Such measures, he added, should focus on improving people’s lives and making social policies more efficient and financially sustainable rather than simply satisfying financial markets.
The Brazilian election is shaping up as a closely contested race, with Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula running virtually neck and neck. However, a member of Bolsonaro’s campaign said no leading candidate had yet emerged for the finance ministry and that the campaign’s immediate focus remained on winning the election.