Strong message from Lula da Silva to victorious Chavez: prepare your succession
Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva said he believes it is time for Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, recently re-elected for another six years, “to begin preparing his succession”
“There was an election in Venezuela with two main candidates, (Henrique) Capriles and Chavez, and I was convinced that the better man for Venezuela was Chavez. Now well, I also think it is time companion Chavez must begin to prepare his succession”, said Lula da Silva in an interview with Buenos Aires La Nacion.
The former president who is currently in Argentina for a business forum said that the Venezuelan constitution allows Chavez to be a presidential candidate for a fourth time, “but when he loses, his adversaries will also be able to run for office as many times as they wish, and I don’t think that is good”.
“That is the reason why I didn’t want a third mandate. Because if I had done so I would have wanted a fourth period, and then a fifth, and therefore if I want it for me, I want it for all who are running in politics. And for democracy rotation in office is a conquest of humanity and that is why we must keep it and respect it”, added Lula da Silva.
The former leader said that “if we compare the Venezuela of Chavez” with the Venezuela before Chavez, “it has improved greatly” and the poor people have earned their dignity, which is good for the whole of the people.
“South America has advanced much with Chavez. Because before in Venezuela even toilets were imported from the US, now they come from Brazil, Argentina and other countries. Venezuela started to look to South America and that is why I strongly defended the incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur”, pointed out the ex president.
Regarding Mercosur decision on Paraguay, Lula da Silva said suspension was the right thing after having removed last June President Fernando Lugo following political impeachment by the Paraguayan Senate, a process whose legitimacy has been questioned by the other Mercosur members and neighbouring countries.
“We can’t allow politics to work that way: I sincerely believe that if people’s sovereignty which elects presidents is not respected and we begin removing people I think it debilitates democracy. (President Fernando) Lugo’s mandate ended next year!! I think Mercosur did the right thing”, he concluded.
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26 comments Feed
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Death is the ineluctable destiny of all living creatures.
LMAO!!!! This comment killed me, I can't even categorize it... is it really that he meant it, or was it simply a sublime and superb mock?
If at least they would produce it themselves, I would have believed that Lula really meant it, but now south american countries that used to have a fraction of Venezuela's development in the 60ies and have surpassed them, is a very crafty way to humilliate him... toilets... tssss
you well know that Venezuela is not Brasil.
you well know that H.Chávez can easily obtain the next elections.
What a demagogue!
they have just gone backwards in time,
rather than forwards.
Which part of the Dark Continent that is modern day argie-land are you from?
Lula is a thief but won’t get charged and is allowed to swan around LatAm as if he was a giant on the worlds stage.
But from his diatribe about toilets in Venezuela I think he has an excellent second career as a stand-up-comedian!
Lula and Chavez deserve each other and TMBOA makes it a threesome!
Ughhh, what a mental picture that makes.
LOLs
Your comments are loaded with a lot of common sense......
Not so common in here at MercoPress.....
May I ask, where you are from....?
Best Regards
El Think
Chubut
Argentina
And there never was any corruption in South America before the left started winning elections, right? LOL
Lula makes sense..
' the Venezuelan constitution allows Chavez to be a presidential candidate for a fourth time, “but when he loses, his adversaries will also be able to run for office as many times as they wish, and I don’t think that is good”.'
I think the 'two term' limit is a 'good thing' when you have a presidential system.
Its not an issue under the Westminster system as the PM can be given the Royal Order of the Boot at any old time.
So you should be allowed to choose your leaders at will, and re-elect them should you feel you want, but not us? Pedazo de hipocrita, I think we'll just do it our way...
These Brits are not normal, they all havea go at SA today, screaming theft amd corruption. Tell me dear Brits, why didn't you lot cry out 10 years ago? 20? Today we don't need you lot, so just shovel your moral prayers, because that's just what you got, prayers. And take your religion with you, as in have a go at your own kids, as usual.
Wait for it: The Mad Bitch Of Argentina (TMBOA) none other than the President. :o)
@18 Guzz
Your system has no method of getting shut of the likes of TMBOA short of assassination or revolution, in our system the government can fall to a vote of no confidence and they have to go.
Then the Queen and political advisors decide who is is to take over until a new election can be arranged.
Far more civilised and to the point. But heh, we are comparing AG (The Dark One) with a western society.
Guzz, come on!
I KNOW you are not stupid, stop acting like it.
Uhmm, that sounds familiar to me. They should do the same thing where I live and in Europe, but who am I kidding, so far never going to happen. Anyway, back to the topic, Mr Lula did a good/great job for his people..after all, that's what government suppose to do, be for the people, by the people and with the people.
~ Inácio, Luiz . About the corruption trial in Brazil.
That's enough to understand my disgust towards this moron.
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