During a press conference today to various radio stations in Brazil, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that the decision about whether to run for reelection in 2006 will only be made in March, 2006, at the earliest.
"I am deeply convinced that the President of the Republic does not have to engage in the electoral dispute prior to the time when the campaign gets underway," he argued.
According to Lula, the purpose of delaying the decision is to avert paralysis in the country.
"In Brazil, unfortunately, things grind to a halt in election years. I have another year and two months in office, and I want to exercise this mandate fully," he said.
In deciding whether or not to run, the President explained that he will have to consider many aspects, including the fact that he voted against reelection in the 1988 Constituent Assembly.
Lula assured that he is in no hurry to make up his mind. "My opponents are the ones who are in a hurry; indeed, they are demonstrating a degree of nervousness on account of 2006," he remarked.
The president said that the decision will be made in conjunction with the Workers’ Party (PT) and his collaborators.
ABr