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Without Naming Aécio Neves, Dilma Rousseff Preaches Country Unity and Promises Political Reform
10/27/2014 - 11h55
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MARIANA HAUBERT
FROM BRASÍLIA
After being reelected with 51.6% of valid votes in the closest race in history, President Dilma Rousseff spoke to riled up supporters in a hotel in Brasília on Sunday night (26).
In her speech, Dilma defended political reform by way of a plebiscite.
"We will find the strength and legitimacy required in this moment of transformation to carry forward political reform. I want to discuss this with Congress and with all of Brazilian society," said the reelected president, who did not mention opponent Aécio Neves in her speech.
Dilma also pledged to punish corruption.
"I will have a strict commitment to fight corruption and to propose changes in current legislation to put an end to impunity, which is protective of corruption," she said during her speech in Brasília.
"Throughout the campaign, I announced measures that will be important for society and for the country to tackle corruption and put an end to impunity," she added.
ECONOMY
In the economic area, Dilma said she wanted to combat rising inflation.
"I will continue fighting inflation rigorously and advancing the field of fiscal responsibility. Even before the start of my next government I will continue with this task," she said.
During her speech, Dilma said she wants to be a "much better president than she has been up until now." "I want to be a better person than I have strived to be. That sense of resilience should not only boost the government but also the entire nation," she said.
At the beginning of her speech, Dilma thanked Lula for his support, which was hailed by activists with a cry of "Lula, I love you." In all the moments that she cited, Lula was more exalted than Dilma.
With excitement spreading through the crowd, Dilma herself asked for silence from those present. "My voice is gone. I'm here with one last bit of my voice. I ask you to help me. I ask for your strength," she said. At the end, her supporters sang the national anthem.
DIALOGUE
In her speech, Dilma recognized that she needs to have more dialogue with various sectors of society.
"I urge, without exception, to all Brazilians to join together on behalf of our country, our people. I sincerely do not think that these elections have divided the country in half," she said.
For the PT leader, the "mobilizing energy" of the elections needs to be converted into a "common understanding" to move the country forward. "Sometimes in our history, tight results produce stronger and faster changes," she said.
The defense of the dialogue and the unity among Brazilians is an attempt to minimize the consequences of the hard clash fought between Dilma and her adversary, senator Aécio Neves (PSDB), in the second round of elections, marred by accusations from both sides of corruption and a lack of preparedness to lead the country.
Widely criticized during her administration for not dialoguing with key sectors, including social movements, Dilma emphasized she was open to dialogue. "I am willing to open a large space for dialogue with all sectors of society to find the fastest solution to our problems."
Dilma spoke alongside former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Michel Temer, and the presidents of her party's coalition: Rui Falcão (PT), Carlos Lupi (PDT), José Renato Rabelo (PC do B), Ciro Nogueira (PP), Vitor Paulo (PRB), Antônio Carlos Rodrigues (PR), Kassab (PSD) and Eurípedes Júnior (Pros).