Brazil's Lula confirms plan to run for president in 2018
                 Source: Xinhua | 2017-01-12 23:01:45 | Editor: huaxia

Former Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reacts during an act agaisnt the approval of impeachment of the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 11, 2016. (Xinhua/AGENCIA ESTADO)

BRASILIA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, confirmed Wednesday that "he is preparing" to run for the presidency in 2018, should it "be necessary."

In his first public speech of the year, the politician said he would be travelling the country in 2017 to restore his image and that of his Workers' Party, "which have been criminalized by the press and the justice system."

Lula, who served as president of Brazil in 2003-2010, made the remarks at an event of the Landless Workers' Movement in the northern city of Salvador de Bahia.

Lula was accompanied by Jaques Wagner, the former chief of staff to impeached President Dilma Rousseff, and the former president of Petrobras, Sergio Gabrielli.

Former Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reacts during the seminar "Democracy and Social Justice" promoted by the "Progressive Alliance" and hosted by "Workers Party" (PT, for its acronym in Spanish), in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso)

In reference to allegations that his opponents may seek a legal injunction to stop him from running through the courts, Lula said that everybody should be able to run for president.

"If (President Michel) Temer wants to run, excellent. If (Foreign Minister Jose) Serra wants to run, excellent. If (judge Sergio) Moro, excellent ... all those who want to be a candidate have that right, they should join a party and get out on the streets," he said.

Lula also said that the Brazilian economy, which currently plunged into a deep recession, would return to growth through public investments.

According to the former president, Brazil needs an agricultural revolution, including using public banks to finance family agriculture, small businesses and consumers.

"The only way this country will grow is if the state invests. The only way (public) debt will fall against GDP is to make GDP grow," Lula said.

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Brazil's Lula confirms plan to run for president in 2018

Source: Xinhua 2017-01-12 23:01:45

Former Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reacts during an act agaisnt the approval of impeachment of the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 11, 2016. (Xinhua/AGENCIA ESTADO)

BRASILIA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, confirmed Wednesday that "he is preparing" to run for the presidency in 2018, should it "be necessary."

In his first public speech of the year, the politician said he would be travelling the country in 2017 to restore his image and that of his Workers' Party, "which have been criminalized by the press and the justice system."

Lula, who served as president of Brazil in 2003-2010, made the remarks at an event of the Landless Workers' Movement in the northern city of Salvador de Bahia.

Lula was accompanied by Jaques Wagner, the former chief of staff to impeached President Dilma Rousseff, and the former president of Petrobras, Sergio Gabrielli.

Former Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reacts during the seminar "Democracy and Social Justice" promoted by the "Progressive Alliance" and hosted by "Workers Party" (PT, for its acronym in Spanish), in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso)

In reference to allegations that his opponents may seek a legal injunction to stop him from running through the courts, Lula said that everybody should be able to run for president.

"If (President Michel) Temer wants to run, excellent. If (Foreign Minister Jose) Serra wants to run, excellent. If (judge Sergio) Moro, excellent ... all those who want to be a candidate have that right, they should join a party and get out on the streets," he said.

Lula also said that the Brazilian economy, which currently plunged into a deep recession, would return to growth through public investments.

According to the former president, Brazil needs an agricultural revolution, including using public banks to finance family agriculture, small businesses and consumers.

"The only way this country will grow is if the state invests. The only way (public) debt will fall against GDP is to make GDP grow," Lula said.

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