Brasilia (EFE).- The elected President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was moved on Monday when he received the diploma that certifies him as winner of the elections, he affirmed that with his victory, the Brazilian people “reconquered the right to live in a democracy”, and criticized the “perverse” legacy of Jair Bolsonaro.
“I want you to know that this diploma is not a diploma from President Lula, it is from the people who have won back the right to live in democracy in this country,” Lula said during an act held at the headquarters of the Tribunal. Electoral Superior (TSE), in Brasilia. , in which he was accredited as president-elect, in front of almost 300 guests.
As in 2002, when he received the diploma of president-elect for the first time, Lula burst into tears at the start of his statement and recalled “so many times that he was called into question for not having a university degree” while throughout his life.
“I want to apologize for the emotion”, but “what I have experienced in recent years is proof that God exists and of the greatness of the people (…) I know how much this wait has cost the people” , said the former mechanical turner hesitantly.
Bolsonaro review
Lula, who will take power on January 1, stressed that in the last elections “democracy won”, despite the fact that Brazilian society was “poisoned” by “lies produced in the underworld of social networks”, which were broadcast “hate” and generated “political violence.”
In this sense, he insisted that his electoral triumph was possible thanks to the formation of a broad coalition of a dozen left, center and right parties, united against “authoritarianism”.
“I am aware that this front was based on the commitment to defend democracy, which is the origin of my fight and the destiny of this country”, added Lula, dressed in a dark suit, tie and white shirt. .
From there, he denounced “the deliberate process of dismantling” the public policies of the government “of national destruction” led by Bolsonaro, leader of the Brazilian far right and whose “perverse legacy” falls on the poorest.
He also condemned the head of state’s attacks on “democratic institutions”, which he said is not exclusive to Brazil, but to the whole world.
“The machine for attacking democracy has no homeland or border,” said the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT), who called for the use of cutting-edge technologies and “tougher and more effective” laws against fake news.
“We will never give up freedom of expression, but we will defend the right to information to the end without lying or manipulation,” he added.
Lula’s third government
In this context, Lula, 77, said that one of his objectives will be to “strengthen democracy”, the meaning of which must come out of the paper, since “the people demand active participation” in it.
“Democracy is about having quality food, jobs, health, education, security and housing” and “that only makes sense insofar as it promotes opportunities for all”, said he declared.
It is the third time that Lula has received the diploma of elected president, since he has already governed the country in two other periods, between 2003 and 2010.
“I am receiving the diploma for the third time in the name of the freedom, dignity and happiness of the Brazilian people”, he concluded, to the cheers of some of the approximately 300 guests who attended the event.