In his final “Breakfast with the President” radio appearance this year, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said today that he is the “most optimistic of Brazilians.”
For the President, 2004 was an extraordinary year. Lula recalled that in the final edition of the program in 2003, he spoke to the nation about the tough measures the government was compelled to adopt during its first 12 months in office for the sake of a good harvest the following year.
“We took tough steps in order to assure the Brazilian people that we could put Brazil in its rightful place, enabling the people to improve their living conditions, the economy to resume growth, and to generate the necessary jobs and undertake an income distribution policy. After all, that is why the people elected me,” Lula said in the final “Breakfast with the President” program of 2003.
Lula foresees better results in 2005 than this year’s. Economic growth, more jobs, and income distribution are among the government’s goals, according to the President.
During the program, Lula referred to some of his Administration’s accomplishments this year: approval of the Senior Citizens’ Statute, diminution of domestic debt, implantation of the University for All Program (Prouni).
He also mentioned the Oral Health Program, the Biodiesel Program, and the Community Pharmacy Program, as well as the Family Grant program, which benefitted 6.5 million families this year. The goal for 2005 is to reach 8.7 million families.
Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil