In his victory speech, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva said that fighting hunger and poverty will be ‘priority number 1’, will set a goal of zero deforestation for the Amazon, and give Brazil a prominent position in the world.
It was the greatest polarization in the history of the country. Lula had 50.90% of the votes against 49.10% of the opponent Jair Bolsonaro (PL). Lula was elected with 60.3 million votes, compared to 58.2 million Bolsonaro, which means a difference of 2.1 million votes from the opponent (1.66%).
The victory completes a stunning political revival for Mr. da Silva — from the presidency to prison and back — that had once seemed unthinkable. It also ends Mr. Bolsonaro’s turbulent time as the region’s most powerful leader. It was the first time an incumbent president failed to win re-election in the 34 years of Brazil’s modern democracy.
Fighting Poverty
In the speech, Lula said that the fight against hunger and poverty is the “number 1 commitment” of the elected government.
Our most urgent commitment is to end hunger again. We cannot accept as normal that millions of men, women and children in this country do not have what to eat, or that they consume less calories and proteins than necessary.
Lula in his victory speech
“If we are the third largest producer of food in the world and the first of animal protein, if we have the technology and an immensity of agricultural land, if we are able to export to the whole world, we have the duty to ensure that every Brazilian can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day,” added the leader of the Labor Party (PT).
Relationship with the political world
In the victory speech, Lula said that history reserved for him a mission of “magnitude” and that, to fulfill it, he will need “all political parties, workers, businessmen, parliamentarians, governors, mayors, and people of all religions”.
“Brazil has a way, all together we will be able to fix this country and build a Brazil the size of our dreams, with the opportunity to turn it into reality,” he said.
“We will also re-establish the dialogue between government, entrepreneurs, workers, and organized civil society, with the return of the Economic and Social Development Council,” he added.
Amazon
Another theme that Lula highlighted in his speech was the protection of the Amazon. He stated that the new government will have a goal of zero deforestation.
In our government, we were able to reduce deforestation in the Amazon by 80%, considerably reducing the emission of gases that cause global warming. Now, we will fight for zero deforestation of the Amazon.
Lula in his victory speech
According to him, a preserved tree is worth more than tons of illegal wood.
“Brazil and the planet need a living Amazon. A standing tree is worth more than tons of wood illegally extracted by those who think only of easy profit, at the expense of the deterioration of life on Earth,” Lula continued.
Brazil in the world
Lula also said that, in office, he intends to “gain the credibility, predictability, and stability of the country, so that investors – national and foreign – resume confidence in Brazil”.
According to the president-elect, “the world misses Brazil”.
I miss that sovereign Brazil, which spoke of equal to equal with the richest and most powerful countries. And that at the same time contributed to the development of the poorest countries.
Lula in his victory speech
“Today we are telling the world that Brazil is back. That Brazil is too big to be relegated to this sad role of the pariah of the world,” he continued.
Lula said he intends:
- act for fairer international trade;
- resume partnerships with the United States and the European Union;
- reindustrialize Brazil;
- invest in the green and digital economy;
- support the creativity of entrepreneurs and export knowledge.
“We are not interested in trade agreements that condemn our country to the eternal role of exporter of commodities and raw materials,” Lula said.
“We will fight again for a new global governance, with the inclusion of more countries in the United Nations Security Council and with the end of the right to veto, which undermines the balance between nations,” he said.
