Criticism of Lula's economic plans mounts as Brazil markets tank

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Sao Paulo Governor candidate Fernando Haddad react at an election night gathering on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Mariana Greif/File Photo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Criticism of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's economic policies grew on Wednesday, with analysts and a leading newspaper slamming ministers after local markets tanked in the leftist's first two days in office.

Financial Minister Fernando Haddad, a Lula loyalist who ran a failed presidential bid as the leftist Workers Party candidate in 2018, has been among the main targets, with his hometown newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo dubbing him a "decorative minister" on Wednesday.