Alckmin beheads Afif
Yet another retaliation by the governor of São Paulo against those who migrated to Kassab's PSD party.
The Vice-Governor of São Paulo, Guilherme Afif Domingos, released a statement tonight announcing his departure from the Secretariat of Economic Development, Science and Technology. Afif, who left the DEM party to join the PSD, wished his successor success in advancing state government projects such as the São Paulo Technology Park, the Via Rápida Emprego program, and the Via Rápida Empresa program.
"For my part, I remain at the governor's disposal for any missions assigned to me," he emphasized. Alckmin has not officially confirmed Afif's departure, but is expected to appoint state deputy Paulo Barbosa (PSDB-SP), former head of the Social Development Secretariat, as his replacement.
The change in the cabinet was due to a demand from the DEM party to recover the space lost in the state administration after the vice-governor announced he would be leaving the party. The state government will accommodate federal deputy Rodrigo Garcia (DEM-SP) in the Secretariat of Social Development.
In the early afternoon today, Alckmin met at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes with the national president of the DEM party, José Agripino Maia (RN), former senator Marco Maciel (PE), and federal deputy Rodrigo Garcia (SP). In the mid-afternoon, Afif arrived at the palace to speak with the governor. Alckmin did not speak to the press, and the vice-governor also avoided contact with journalists.