Brazil’s new Minister, Guilherme Boulos, has called for higher taxes on billionaires and betting companies. In his first speech at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília on Wednesday, he criticised opposition parties for not supporting the government’s plans to make taxes and labour laws fairer.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the ceremony but did not speak. Boulos officially replaced Márcio Macêdo, who previously held the post. In his address, Boulos thanked Macêdo for his work and promised to continue building strong communication with civil society and different political groups.

Push for Fairer Taxes and Work Conditions

Boulos said the government wants to introduce new taxes for the super-rich and for betting operators as a way to increase public revenue and reduce inequality in Brazil. He questioned why opposition politicians were blocking these ideas if they claimed to support ordinary people.

“If they are against the system, why don’t they support our proposal to tax billionaires and bets? If they defend the people, why don’t they join us to end the 6×1 scale?” he asked.

The 6×1 scale is a labour rule that allows employees to work six days in a row and rest only one. Boulos argued that this system hurts low-income workers and that it needs to be changed to make working conditions fairer.

Defending Democracy and Dialogue

In his speech, Boulos also said he wants to keep open dialogue with different parts of society, including social movements, unions, and political groups. However, he made it clear that this dialogue would not include people or groups he believes are enemies of democracy.

“There is no dialogue with those who attack democracy and betray Brazil,” Boulos said. “For them, enemies of democracy and Brazil, we only have to say two things: Brazil is Brazilian and without amnesty.”

His words were seen as a strong statement in defense of democratic values and against groups that have tried to undermine the country’s political institutions in recent years.

Betting Market and Government Action

Boulos’s comments come as Brazil debates how to tax and control the fast-growing betting industry. A recent study showed that illegal betting sites now make up 51% of the country’s online gambling market, meaning unlicensed operators are bigger than legal ones for the first time. This has raised concerns about lost tax revenue and the need for stronger regulation to protect players and the economy.

To fix this, the Ministry of Finance is working with the telecom regulator Anatel to block illegal sites and stop their payments. The government hopes that by taxing the rich and cleaning up the gambling market, it can raise more money for public services and reduce inequality. Boulos said he will focus on fairness, democracy, and open communication with society.