"Everyone is expecting a rate cut," Finance Minister Fernando Haddad noted in an interview with RedeTV journalist Kennedy Alencar.
Planning Minister Simone Tebet was even more emphatic, saying at an event in Rio de Janeiro that the central bank must start its easing cycle with a 50-basis-point cut.
She said high interest rate levels were hurting the retail sector.
However, they still diverge on the size of the cut, with 55% of those polled betting on a 25 basis point move while 32% expect a 50 basis point cut.
On Thursday, Lula himself renewed calls on the central bank to cut interest rates.
Persons:
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Fernando Haddad, Kennedy Alencar, Haddad, Simone Tebet, Lula, Gabriel Galipolo, Ailton Aquino, Lula's, Bernardo Caram, Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Josie Kao, Frances Kerry
Organizations:
RIO DE, Finance, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
BRASILIA, RIO, RIO DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brasilia