Exit of key minister not to change Brazil's economic policy: official

BRASILIA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian government will maintain its current economic policy should its praised finance minister, Henrique Meirelles, leave his post to run in October's presidential election, the government's chief of staff Eliseu Padilha said Tuesday.

Speaking to the Senate's economic affairs commission, Padilha said the current economic policy does not hinge on Meirelles, but is directed by President Michel Temer.

He added that if Meirelles leaves office, the government will retain many of its economic staff, along with the same priorities. And Meirelles might continue to be consulted.

Brazilian media published articles on Monday about Meirelles' imminent exit from the government. However, no official confirmation has been made.

Meirelles said he would wait to decide whether he would run in the presidential election until April 3.

While Meirelles has long been spoken of as a presidential frontrunner, there has been speculation that he could join the ticket of President Michel Temer as a potential vice-president.

Meirelles' fame has been rising in Brazil as he is credited with improving the economy after two years of severe recession. He also has a measure of cross-party appeal as he was governor of the central bank during the left-wing government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Enditem