RIO DE JANEIRO, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Minister of Economy Paulo Guedes said on Friday that he might leave office if the reform of the social security system is not approved.
Guedes, who is considered President Jair Bolsonaro's economic guru and right-hand man since the presidential campaign, told local news magazine Veja in an interview that he could not possibly stay on if the reform does not move forward.
"If I am the only one who wants the reform, I will pack up and go home. If I feel that the president does not want it, the media only wants to make a mess, the opposition only wants to blow up and risk serious conflict, I take a plane and go live abroad," Guedes said.
"I am not irresponsible and would not leave on the next day if the reform is not approved. But I could say that I had already done what I could," he added.
Guedes said the social security system's deficit is like "a black hole swallowing everything" and alleged that the country's economy may collapse by next year if the reform is not approved.
President Bolsonaro, who was on a trip to Brazil's northeastern region, was asked about the possibility of Guedes leaving the administration.
"No one is under any obligation to be my minister," Bolsonaro replied.
