Brazil’s Meirelles May Not Run for Goias Governor, Valor Says

[Blue_Tires]

Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Brazilian central bank President Henrique Meirelles may not run for political office next year after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked him to stay at his post through the end of 2010, Valor Economico reported, citing an unidentified friend of Meirelles.

Lula asked two former ministers, Antonio Palocci and Marcio Thomaz Bastos, to convince Meirelles to not run for Goias state governor, the Sao Paulo-based newspaper said.

Lula wants to keep Meirelles at the central bank until the end of next year to help maintain investor confidence during Brazil’s presidential election, the newspaper said. Meirelles must resign his post at the bank should he decide to run for governor, Valor reported.

Bloomberg News calls to the central bank’s press office today in Brasilia went unanswered.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aFAll8KyB1qU