"I've Fought the Good Fight," Says Aécio Neves in His Speech After Defeat

10/27/2014 - 10h46

The defeated presidential candidate, Aécio Neves (PSDB), made his first speech after the results that showed that his adversary Dilma Rousseff (PT) was the victor.

He thanked the Brazilian people and said he had accomplished his mission.

"I especially thank the more than 50 million Brazilians who pointed the way to change. I will be forever grateful to each of you, who made it possible to dream again and believe in the construction of a new project," he said.

In a tight dispute, Neves won 48.38% of the valid votes, when 99.8% of the votes had already been counted in all the country.

In a brief speech in Belo Horizonte, Neves said he had congratulated President Rousseff over the phone. He highlighted the importance of uniting the country in a project relevant to the population.

"I believe the highest priority must be uniting Brazil around an honorable project which can bring dignity to all Brazilians."

Neves also thanked his vice presidential candidate, Senator Aloysio Nunes, who represented all his allies in his campaign. At the end of his speech, Neves said he felt that he had done his job.

"More alive than ever, more of a dreamer than ever, I leave this camping with the feeling that we did our job," he said, citing the Apostle Saint Peter.

"To end my speech, I repeat Saint Peter's words, which, in my view, portray in the clearest way, the feeling I have now in my soul and in my heart: 'I've fought the good fight, I've fulfilled my mission and I've kept my faith.' Thank you to all Brazilians.

Here is Aécio Neves's full speech

Good evening to all. My first words are a great thank you to all Brazilians who participated in this celebration of democracy.

I especially thank the more than 50 million people who pointed the way to change. I will be forever grateful to each of you, who made it possible to dream again and believe in the construction of a new project.

The things I saw in the past months will never leave my mind or my heart.

I have just congratulated the reelected president and wished her success in the management of her next administration. I stressed that I consider the highest priority must be uniting the country around an honorable project which can bring dignity to all Brazilians.

A special thanks to each Brazilian, represented by all of those who are here, and Senator Aloysio Nunes, a brave companion on this journey. He is an exemplary public servant with whom I had the privilege of sharing new expectations regarding Brazil.

Therefore, more alive than ever, more of a dreamer than ever, I leave this campaign with the feeling that we did our job. And, to end my speech, I repeat Saint Peter's words, which, in my view, portray in the clearest way, the feeling I have now in my soul and in my heart: "I've fought the good fight, I've fulfilled my mission and I've kept my faith."

Thank you to all Brazilians.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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