The former president of Brazil between 2003 and 2010 and favorite to win next Sunday’s elections, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, assured today that he would not contest re-election in four years if he wins at the polls in five days.
“If I am elected, I will be a one-term president. Leaders are made by working in their commitment to the population,” said da Silva in a radio interview, even though the Brazilian Constitution allows presidents to be reelected for a second four-year term.
The almost 77-year-old leader of the Workers’ Party (PT, left) was the most-voted candidate in the first round, held on Oct. 2, with 48.4 percent of the vote, beating his great rival, incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, who got 43.2 percent.
All polls indicate that da Silva will repeat his victory next Sunday in the second round.
“I will return to govern the country. And the people who vote for me will vote with the expectation that I will make a better government than the one I have already made. To improve people’s lives. We will return to make the country work. I don’t want to waste time with minor things”, he commented.
Da Silva also affirmed, “I will assemble a very differentiated team that knows the public machine, and that has in its heart and head the mentality of social inclusion”.
“I am aware that I have to assemble a good team. I cannot make a mistake; I left the Government with 87 percent approval. I cannot disappoint the people; this is why I am determined to work hard and involve more people”, he concluded.