Impeachment calls stem from hatred and prejudice, Lula says
“The impeachment is part of the democratic process, but [it] must have a reason, a motivation. In Dilma's case, there's no motivation aside from hatred, aside from prejudice,” he argued in a speech during a meeting with members of social movements and trade union centers opposing the move.
Former President Luiz Inácio da Silva said Monday (Dec. 7) that hatred is the feeling behind President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment request. “The impeachment is part of the democratic process, but [it] must have a reason, a motivation. In Dilma's case, there's no motivation aside from hatred, aside from prejudice,” he argued in a speech during a meeting with members of social movements and trade union centers opposing the move.
Leaders from trade unions and the civil society are expected to spend the day in the meeting and announce later in the evening a schedule of demonstrations against the president's removal. The impeachment proceedings started last week, when lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha granted the request submitted by jurists Hélio Bicudo, Miguel Reale Júnior, and Janaína Paschoal. The list with the lawmakers to take part in the special committee on the case should be disclosed tonight.
Lula said that keeping Rousseff in office is crucial to the preservation of Brazil's social strides. “In order for us to rebuild the right to fight again, we must not allow the impeachment in the National Congress to lead to a coup d'Etat. Because there's no legal foundation, no political foundation,” he stressed.
The former head of state accused the opposition parties, defeated in the 2014 election, of boycotting the federal government in Congress, hindering the adoption of measures required for economic recovery. “The opposition didn't take down the podium, they didn't take the campaigning car away. They did everything to prevent companion Dilma to rule the country. They did everything to prevent things from happening in this country,” he said.
In Lula's view, the movement for the impeachment is in fact an assault on the political project implemented by the Workers' Party (PT) over the last few years: “They want to have Dilma removed because they know that, for as long as she's there, the poor will have the right to go to the university, the affirmative action will be defended, and the Minha Casa Minha Vida [affordable housing program] will continue.”
According to the ex-president, the government should keep the actions of congress members under close scrutiny. “We shouldn't give up keeping watch and working to attain absolute majority in the National Congress so we're not caught unawares in one of the votes,” he argued.
The media also have to be monitored by the civil society, Lula said. “Because the press may be instrumental in helping keep the Brazilian society well informed. That would be great. It can also choose to be biased towards this or that side. If the press has to make that decision, let it choose the decent side of Brazilian politics—the fair side, the side of respect towards democracy and the rule of law.”
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Impeachment calls stem from hatred and prejudice, Lula says
