Lula: Social programs will receive US$ 10.09 billion in 2006

08/12/2005 - 0h40

Ana Paula Marra
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - At yesterday's (7) installation of the new president of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), Eduardo Campos, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that the Ministry of Social Development will receive US$ 10.09 billion next year to invest in social policies. Lula said that the budget was increased because it is a priority area. "In my Administration, social policy became the main course, instead of a mere condiment," he said.

Lula also referred to the positive accomplishments of his government, such as the increase in job creation and exports, and the importance of a trustful relationship between society and government to put together projects that are solid and helpful for the country. "The president's term of office has a time to begin and end. Once in a while a joker pops up wanting to interrupt the process, believing that democracy need not be respected. The term of office has a beginning, middle, and end, but the relationship of trust between the president and the people can't be broken; otherwise, we can't concretize the things that led us to form this alliance," he commented, disparaging politicians who call for the abbreviation of his mandate.

He went on to say: "Just as an important company owner can be president of the country with the respect of Brazilian workers, a worker can be president of the country and be respected by other segments of society. Just as an intellectual can be president of the country and democracy demands that all of us respect the individual who was elected, it's necessary that someone who never attended the university can also be elected," he concluded.

Translation: David Silberstein