President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is weighing a plan to create a Ministry of Public Security during his current term but have it become fully operational only in 2027. He is still awaiting Senate approval of the Public Security constitutional amendment, known as the PEC da Segurança.
Under the proposal being discussed within the government, Lula could sign a provisional measure establishing the ministry in the coming days, followed by a transition period before it begins operating actively next year.
The government would need to redirect funding after separating the new department from the Ministry of Justice. Officials are also still defining which bodies would come under its authority, including the Federal Police and the Federal Highway Police.
Lula has not yet chosen a minister. Those being considered include public prosecutor Lincoln Gakiya, National Public Security Secretary Chico Lucas, and former ministers Rui Costa and Camilo Santana.
The president has said he does not want to delay signaling to voters that he intends to fulfill a campaign promise. During the campaign, Lula linked the creation of the ministry to approval of the constitutional amendment, which would expand the federal government’s role in public security.
Sources: Folha Poder.