Brazil's Lula announces cabinet reshuffle

Recasts with official confirmation, adds details on new ministry in paragraph 3

BRASILIA, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced a ministry cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday as he seeks to shore up support for his political agenda from a powerful bloc of lawmakers.

Lula named federal lawmaker Andre Fufuca as the sports minister, while lawmaker Silvio Costa Filho will be the ports and airports minister, the government said in a statement.

Marcio Franca, who was the ports and airports minister, will now control the newly created micro and small business ministry, the statement added.

The move follows a series of negotiations between the government and Centrao, a bloc known more for its horse-trading prowess than ideological commitments, a key movement for Lula's legislative agenda.

In July, Lula replaced his tourism minister Daniela Carneiro with Celso Sabino.

The announcement also seals the entry of the party of lower house speaker Arthur Lira, who was a supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro, into Lula's cabinet.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Stephen Coates)

((Carolina.Pulice@thomsonreuters.com;))

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.