Haddad: I worked without making electoral calculations and without demagoguery.
In a farewell message, published this Saturday (31), Mayor Fernando Haddad (PT) takes stock of his administration and defends the four years he spent at the head of the São Paulo city hall; "It is evident that we couldn't do everything we would have liked. But there were many achievements in all corners of the city, especially in the periphery. We did what needed to be done. Without electoral calculations, without demagoguery or pyrotechnics. I never believed in easy solutions to a problem and, likewise, I never made a decision "playing to the crowd", he says.
247 - In a farewell message, published this Saturday (31), Mayor Fernando Haddad (PT) takes stock of his administration and defends the four years he spent at the head of the São Paulo city hall.
"It's clear that we couldn't do everything we wanted. But there were many achievements in all corners of the city, especially in the periphery. We did what needed to be done. Without electoral calculations, without demagoguery or pyrotechnics. I never believed in easy solutions to problems and, likewise, I never made a decision 'playing to the gallery'. I always believed in dialogue and good politics as essential tools for building a better city (and a better world). It was with these convictions that we launched a modern and humane project, aiming at the structural changes that São Paulo needed," he says.
Below is the full text:
"It was a privilege to govern with you."
I had never run for office before. I had been Minister of Education for seven years, a great experience in public administration – a job that was widely recognized for its advancements in the field. And I had the honor of being elected to lead the largest city in the country, based on a solid program, a bold platform for transforming the city of São Paulo.
Throughout our term, we navigated difficult times of economic, political, and institutional crisis in Brazil. Even so, we broke investment records, fought corruption with a firm hand, and left the house in order from a financial standpoint. We reorganized public spaces, restored citizenship to the marginalized, and prioritized life. We always wanted to build a people-friendly São Paulo. A vibrant, integrated, and innovative city. With serious and responsible work, we were able to guide São Paulo to the other side during turbulent times.
It's clear that we couldn't do everything we wanted. But there were many achievements in all corners of the city, especially in the periphery. We did what needed to be done. Without electoral calculations, demagoguery, or pyrotechnics. I never believed in easy solutions to problems, and likewise, I never made a decision "playing to the gallery." I always believed in dialogue and good politics as essential tools for building a better city (and a better world). It was with these convictions that we launched a modern and humane project, aiming for the structural changes that São Paulo needed.
Today is my last day in the Mayor's office. As with any job, I learned a lot each day. I am truly proud of the journey we have had at the São Paulo City Hall. That is why I am immensely grateful for the opportunity the people of São Paulo gave me to govern this city. I believe we sowed hope and made people believe that it is possible to break with old habits, create new values, and escape the commonplace. It has been an honor to govern this city, and I leave with a sense of duty fulfilled. I am certain that we have left an important legacy for future generations.
Finally, I believe we made a high-level, collaborative, and republican transition with the new Mayor João Doria. We maintained a cordial, productive, and transparent relationship. I sincerely wish him success in leading a city as complex and challenging as São Paulo.
And I wish all of Brazil a wonderful 2017. Our journey of struggle for a democratic country with social justice continues."