Lula: 'There is no developing country that has so many poor people'
In an interview with a Norwegian network, Lula says he considers the country's social welfare system 'a model'.
Lula's website - Last weekend, Norway's state broadcaster NRK aired an exclusive interview with former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on its television and radio channels, as well as on its website. The interview, conducted in São Paulo earlier this month, was given in the interview with journalist Arnt Stefansen. In the conversation, he stated that, in his view, "the Norwegian welfare society is a model."
“Many times here in Brazil we compare ourselves to countries poorer than us. I think we should dream of achieving the same standard of living as the Norwegian people. We should aim to create an equally rich and just society. And if I win the elections, I will restore the good and close relationship we had with Norway during my previous term,” said Lula.
In the conversation, he recalled the occasions when he received Norwegian leaders during his time in government: King Harald and two former prime ministers, Kjell Magne Bondevik and Jens Stoltenberg. He also recalled his state visit to Norway in 2007.
The article also recounts Lula's trajectory, from his origins in the backlands of Pernambuco to the presidency, including the period of the ABC strikes and the fight against poverty that marked his two terms.
"There is no developing country with so many poor people. And there are no developed countries with so many unemployed people. We must include these people. They must be allowed to work, study, and have access to culture, so that they can help develop the country," says the former president.
Trajectory
Throughout the report, NRK highlighted the fight against poverty and economic growth, the reduction in deforestation in the Amazon, and the reduction in social inequality. It also mentioned the 580 days the former president remained detained, emphasizing that "the evidence was scarce and many believed it was a political process," and that the verdict was overturned and the case closed.
"I never doubted that this process was aimed at preventing me from returning as leader of this country. My opponents don't want a government that respects indigenous peoples and supports workers, black people, and sexual minorities," Lula told the broadcaster.
In the conversation, the former president also criticized the current president's policies. "Bolsonaro doesn't understand economics. He doesn't understand unions. He doesn't understand poverty and he doesn't understand what social inclusion is. The only thing he can do is lie and promote weapons," he declared.
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