São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas is planning changes to his administration’s core team as he prepares for a second term. According to allies and aides, the moves are intended to position him for a possible presidential run in 2030, help him choose a successor as governor and keep his political group in charge of the capital city’s mayoralty.

The expected reshuffle focuses on the state’s two most influential offices: the Government Secretariat, which handles political relations, particularly with state lawmakers, and the Civil House, which coordinates the implementation of public policies. Roberto Carneiro, head of the Republicanos party in São Paulo, is expected to lead the Government Secretariat. Natália Resende, currently the state’s environment, infrastructure and logistics secretary, is expected to move to the Civil House.

The changes would replace an arrangement that Tarcísio found unsatisfactory. In his first term, he appointed PSD leader Gilberto Kassab to the Government Secretariat and childhood friend Arthur Lima to the Civil House. Tarcísio reportedly told associates he believed Kassab was using the post to build his political standing, while lawmakers complained about Lima’s work. Both left their positions before the election period; Kassab said he was departing to focus on the elections.

Carneiro joined the state government in January and took over the Government Secretariat from Kassab in March, before temporarily leaving to work on Tarcísio’s campaign. Lawmakers have praised his ability to engage with them. Resende, whom Tarcísio has called a “supersecretary,” coordinated the government plan presented during the campaign.

Allies in the PL, Republicanos and MDB have identified Resende as one possible contender to succeed Tarcísio in 2030. The governor and other officials have denied that he has political plans for her. Another potential successor is São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes, who is currently described by allies as Tarcísio’s main political partner. To strengthen his prospects, they say, Nunes would need to leave office with strong approval ratings and help his group elect a successor in 2028.

People who spoke with Tarcísio this week expect Nunes to receive a role in the state government after leaving the mayor’s office, though they did not specify which one. They also say Tarcísio plans to support him. One possible step would be giving the MDB a larger share of the cabinet, including portfolios previously controlled by Kassab’s PSD. The party is also expected to lose influence because of its distance from Tarcísio’s campaign.

Tarcísio is also expected to retain Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves as public security secretary. Allies view the police chief as a possible running mate for a mayoral candidate selected by Nunes and approved by Tarcísio. Gonçalves had previously been considered as Nunes’s running mate in 2024, but Jair Bolsonaro backed Colonel Mello Araújo instead.

Tarcísio and Nunes are expected to hold their first joint event of the new phase of government next week, at a ceremony marking works on an electric light-rail project in central São Paulo. Along with a planned new state administrative center, the project is expected to reshape the city’s old downtown area, which could feature in Nunes’s effort to secure a successor.

Other changes are expected in smaller departments, including tourism and travel, sports, and women’s policies. The current plans do not include putting Tarcísio’s deputy, Felicio Ramuth, forward as a candidate for governor in 2030. If Tarcísio runs for president, he would have to leave the governorship by April that year, and Ramuth would take over as governor. The state government did not respond to a request for comment.

Sources: Folha Poder.