President Lula Will Not Run for Third Term

Brazil’s Head of State Says He Won’t Seek Re-election

May 21, 2009

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reaffirms the fact that he has no desire to seek re-election for a third consecutive term.

The Brazilian President, Lula, has once again stated that he will not be running for a third term in office. President Lula’s remarks have come amidst growing support for him to try and seek re-election in next year’s elections.

President Lula Hasn’t Considered a Third Term

President Lula, leader of the Workers’ Party, has been the incumbent President of Brazil since he took office on 1 January 2003. He is currently over-seeing his second term at the helm of the world’s fourth largest democracy.

Currently the Constitution of Brazil only permits presidents to seek re-election once; therefore the constitution would have to be amended in order for Lula run for office again. The President says that this is the primary reason why he hasn’t even thought about a third term.

President Cardoso’s 16th Amendment

In order for such a pivotal amendment to be passed, Lula would’ve needed a significant amount of support, much like his predecessor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Former President Cardoso attained enough political support during his first term to pass the 16th amendment, which allows leaders to pursue re-election for a second term.

President Lula Mindful of Dictatorship

Talk of Lula’s political future is by no means a recent phenomenon. In fact, less than a year into his second term, it was mentioned that he might run for a third term.

In August 2007 Lula told one of the country’s premiere newspapers, O Estado de S. Paulo, “When a political leader begins to think he’s indispensable, and cannot be substituted, a little dictatorship is born.”

Brazil proclaimed herself a republic in 1889 and since then the country has had to endure two dictatorships. Lula’s remarks clearly demonstrate a man who doesn’t want to abuse his power and plunge Brazil into yet another dictatorial regime.

Dilma Rousseff Likely to Run for President

Lula’s chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, underwent surgery last month to remove a malignant tumour. Her health was once again questioned earlier this week when she was admitted to hospital with leg pains that are related to the treatment she has been receiving.

It has been said that the government has been working on a “Plan B” should Ms. Rousseff’s health deteriorate. “Plan B” alluded to the fact that Lula would run for a third term.

Lula, however, is confident that his chief of staff will return to good health and be the Workers’ Party candidate in the next year’s general elections.

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