GGN: Lula opposed new elections when FHC was suffering an economic crisis.
GGN newspaper recalls that in January 1999, when Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB) was facing attacks from the opposition due to the economic crisis plaguing the country at the time, Lula, then honorary president of the PT, contradicted his own party and advocated respect for the election results: "I don't think Brazil's problem will be solved by bringing forward the electoral process. The problem could have been solved on October 4th. It wasn't. The population made a choice, right or wrong, it was a choice of the majority of the people," Lula declared at the time.
247 - O GGN newspaper It highlights that, in January 1999, when Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB) was facing attacks from the opposition due to the economic crisis that was plaguing the country at the time, Lula, then honorary president of the PT, contradicted his own party and advocated respect for the election results:
"I don't think Brazil's problem will be solved by bringing forward the electoral process. The problem could have been solved on October 4th. It wasn't. The population made a choice, right or wrong, it was a choice of the majority of the people," Lula declared at the time. Read below:
GGN Newspaper - In January 1999, when Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB) was facing attacks from the opposition due to the economic crisis that was plaguing the country at the time, Lula, then honorary president of the PT, contradicted his own party and advocated respect for the election results.
"Lula again suggested holding a major national debate to discuss solutions to the crisis. But he said the opposition will only agree to talk with FHC if the government admits it can change the course of its economic policy," Folha de S. Paulo reported.
According to the newspaper, the PT (Workers' Party), represented by Tarso Genro, demanded FHC's (Fernando Henrique Cardoso's) resignation and the calling of new elections as a way out of the crisis. Lula told the newspaper that he was against the measure, since FHC had "only 20-odd days left in office" and it wasn't right to think that every time a leader starts off on the wrong foot or has serious management difficulties, the solution is immediate replacement. "If I think that, because things are going badly, the president has to resign, soon there will be people advocating for the resignation of PT governors," he commented.
Also going through an economic - and political - crisis after her re-election, President Dilma has been the target of attacks from Aécio Neves' PSDB, which has helped to call for anti-PT protests, such as the one next Sunday (16), to demand the resignation of the PT member and the holding of a new election. The initiative of Aécio's group is not unanimous within the PSDB. The wing that supports Geraldo Alckmin's candidacy, for example, prefers to wait for the storm to pass naturally and pave the way for a candidacy through democratic means until 2018.
GGN reproduces the article about Lula's stance in 1999 in its entirety below.
"Calling an early election won't solve anything," says Lula.
From Folha
The honorary president of the Workers' Party (PT), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, described as "premature" and "precipitate" the proposal by former Porto Alegre mayor Tarso Genro (PT) to call new presidential elections in October. Genro also advocated for the resignation of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
"I don't think Brazil's problem will be solved by bringing forward the electoral process. The problem could have been solved on October 4th. It wasn't. The population made a choice, right or wrong, it was a choice of the majority of the people," Lula declared.
"Fernando Henrique has been in office for about 20 days. He has everything he needs to do, but so far he hasn't done anything. If I think that, because things are bad, the president should resign, soon there will be people advocating for the resignation of PT governors. Then, it will become fashionable in Brazil," he concluded.
Although he heavily criticized FHC's stance on the crisis, the PT member stated that the PT's role now is to mobilize society to try to change the government's economic policy.
Lula reiterated his suggestion for a major national debate to discuss solutions to the crisis. However, he stated that the opposition will only agree to talks with FHC (Fernando Henrique Cardoso) if the government admits it can change the course of its economic policy.
The Workers' Party member announced that the party will promote meetings between opposition leaders, business leaders, and union representatives, independently of the government. He himself will schedule meetings with business leaders in the coming days.
"I don't believe in this story of a national pact. To talk to the opposition, the president needs to give up some of his certainties. A pact based on what the government stands for is not a pact."
Lula indirectly defended the departure of Finance Minister Pedro Malan. "I didn't choose Malan, I can't fire him. But even in a football game, when a player is doing poorly, the coach makes a substitution," he said.
"It's impossible that FHC [Fernando Henrique Cardoso] doesn't realize that economists of other persuasions disagree with the economic team. In fact, José Serra (Minister of Health) himself disagrees with a large part of this policy. Is this economic team really so right? Or has the government allowed itself to be poisoned by the kiss of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and can't escape its guidance?"
According to Lula, if the current rate of dollar outflow from the country continues, Brazil will soon be in a state of "technical moratorium." He believes that 4% annual inflation wouldn't be so bad for the country. "We shouldn't be alarmed if Brazil has 4% annual inflation. It's not stupid to have 4% inflation with GDP growing at 3%. What is stupid is having zero inflation with GDP declining."