PT's President Controversial Statement Sets Off Party Members' Reaction

01/17/2018 - 11h05

Leaders of the Brazilian Workers Party (PT) tried to sugar-coat the statement given by PT's national president, senator Gleisi Hoffmann (PR), on Tuesday (16). She said that, in order to arrest the former Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, "people have to be killed."

"In order to arrest Lula, a lot of people have to be arrested, but, more than that, people have to be killed", stated Hoffmann, in an interview to the website "Poder360", referring to Lula's possible conviction by the TRF4 (Regional Federal Court of the 4th Region), on the 24th, in Porto Alegre.

The president of Lula Institute, Paulo Okamotto, said her statement was unfortunate, and that it was merely a figure of speech.

"There will be a commotion. We will all be upset. If Lula is arrested, I will die of a heart attack," said Okamotto.

According to PT's leader in the lower house of congress, Paulo Pimenta (RS), Hoffmann's statement was "a figure of speech".

Congressman Carlos Zarattini (PT-SP) believes the senator suffered from "cyber anxiety", as a result of her attempt at being proactive on the internet.

After her controversial statement, Hoffmann explained herself on social media.

"I used a figure of speech to express how much Lula is loved by the Brazilian people. He is the greatest popular leader in the country and has fallen victim of injustice and violence which affect those who admire him. How can we not rebel against a conviction without evidence?".

Fearful of more controversy, party members considered the statement a new slip up. On Saturday (13), she announced that fans of the German sports club Bayern Munich had paid homage to Lula. Gleisi thought their sign said "Forza Lula" when, in fact, it said "Forza Luca", in reference to an injured fan.

Lula will be tried by the appellate court. He was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison by judge Sergio Moro, charged with corruption and money laundering in the case of the triplex apartment located in Guarujá (SP).

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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	Jefferson Bernardes/AFP
	Gleisi Hoffmann (C), president of Brazil's Workers Party (PT), takes part in a demonstration in defense of democracy and the right of former president Lula to be a candidate in the next national elections, in Porto Alegre