"The speed of Dilma's downfall will be the same as her return."

Bahia 247

Likely to coordinate President Dilma Rousseff's reelection campaign in the Northeast, Governor Jaques Wagner (PT) believes that the popular dissatisfaction expressed in the streets by the demonstrations of recent weeks will not hinder the project.

In a brief interview with Globo, Wagner subtly criticizes allies who are considering and/or threatening to break with the government, and those who are piggybacking on the popular movement to tarnish the president's image.

"When push comes to shove, even our allies who are unhappy because they didn't get what they wanted will unite..."

The governor of Bahia also says (although in different words) that the same people protesting today will realize that the best option for Brazil is the PT's continuity project, given the other choices. Down with... interview From Jaques Wagner to Globo.

Is Dilma alone? Has she been abandoned by social movements?

That's a bit of an exaggeration. She doesn't have the same relationship with social movements as Lula because that's a process that's built up. But I think that, when push comes to shove, even our allies who are disgruntled because they didn't get what they wanted will unite. If they need to take to the streets, if there's a perception that the project is threatened, people will go.

Which is the plan? Dilma or Lula's return?

I don't think 2014 is on his agenda. Lula's agenda is Dilma in 2014. I don't know if 2018 is on it. I don't think so. A guy who leaves government with his level of approval has assets, and I would take care of those assets.

Lula is performing better in the polls...

Besides the wealth he possesses, he benefits from not being in charge of the government. I don't know if that wouldn't happen in a possible third term for Lula.

Is it possible to reverse the decline in the polls?

In May and June of 2005 (a year before the election, when the Mensalão scandal broke), nobody said Lula would be re-elected. But the people who condemned him at one moment changed their minds the next.

Is Dilma rising rapidly in the polls again?

I think the fall will be as quick as the return. There's no ongoing process of attrition. The problem is specific. People are irritated, but if they're asked what kind of person they want for the Presidency, the truth will fall into place.

Political reform doesn't seem to be what the people want...

She is the mother of all reforms to respond to the protests, because she can restore credibility. But if she tries to do everything, nothing will get done. I advocate for the end of proportional coalitions, public financing, five-year terms without reelection, and the unification of elections.