Brasilia, January 31 (RHC) -- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Thursday announced changes to her cabinet in the lead-up to October general elections, as several ministers are leaving to run as candidates for public office.

According to a statement from the Brazilian presidency, cabinet Chief of Staff Gleisi Hoffman, who is to run for governor of her home state, Parana, for the Worker's Party (PT), will be replaced by current Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante, who will in turn be replaced by his executive secretary, Jose Henrique Paim.

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, who will run for governor of Sao Paulo state, will be replaced by Arthur Chioro, current Health Secretary for the town of Sao Bernardo do Campo, in Sao Paulo state.

The new ministers will be sworn in Monday morning at the presidential palace of Planalto.  General elections are scheduled for October 5th, with some 140 million registered voters to be able to elect a new president, governors, deputies and senators.