Who is Celso Sabino, the new Minister of Tourism

Called this Thursday (13) to head the Federal Tourism portfolio by deputy Celso Sabino (União-PA) will take charge of the Ministry of Tourism In the coming days, after intense negotiations between President Lula and representatives of União Brasil. This will be the second ministerial exchange of Lula’s current term.

Celso Sabino, 44, who accepted the party’s invitation and candidacy, has a degree in Law and Administration from the University Center of Pará and the University of Amazonia. He holds a PhD in Legal and Social Sciences from Universidad del Museo Social Argentino.

Sabino began his political career as an alternate state deputy in 2011, affiliated with the former PR in Para State. After serving as Secretary of State for Labour, Employment and Income, Sabino joined the PSDB in 2013, and was elected State Deputy by the party the following year. In 2018, with the support of Aécio Neves, he was elected Federal Deputy of PSDB.

In 2021, he announced his departure from PSDB after internal disputes. The party’s discontent began in 2020, after its closeness to Arthur Lira—the incumbent mayor and Sabino’s avowed ally—and the Centrao deputies. That year, Sabino was nominated by the caucus leaders for House Majority Leader.

Adjustments for tourism

Among the projects presented by the deputy related to the field of tourism are those calling for the awarding of the titles of the national capital of oil palm to the municipality of Mojo (PA) and the national capital of Akai to the municipality of Igarabi-Miri (PA). Another of his proposals aimed to create the historic Belém-Braganca tourist route, to stimulate the economic and social development of the Atlantic Amazon region.

Celso Sabino had already been tipped to take over the Ministry of Tourism for a while, after constant pressure from the Centrão parties. Even before being invited to the position, the parliamentarian requested a survey of all portfolio actions in the past seven months and holding meetings to listen to the demands of the tourism sector.