BRASILIA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Friday that he has not declared himself as a candidate in the 2018 presidential elections.
Speaking to local radio station Radio Gaucha, Meirelles denied claims printed Thursday by news magazine Veja, stating that he had admitted he could become a candidate.
The Finance Ministry also denied Veja's claims in an official press release.
According to Meirelles, his focus "at the moment is to do a good job as minister of Finance and ensure that Brazil consolidates its path of growth, not only in this (year) but also in the years to come."
However, he recognized that there "exists an important space in Brazilian politics for those who defend reforms, the modernization of the economy."
"I am aware that many people have certain expectations for a candidate who defends this line of action and also has experience," he added.
"Independently of what we will do in the future, continuing for a few months plus the year to come as minister of Finance or continuing to any other challenge, we will remain open to dialogue," noted Meirelles.
He added that the deadline to declare an intention to run for president is March 31, 2018.
A former central bank governor during the government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Meirelles has been a key member of President Michel Temer's team to bring Brazil out of recession.
