Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel congratulated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his victory in Sunday’s runoff election, noting that it ensures the continuation of a path toward peace, sovereignty and social justice.
The Cuban president affirmed that Brazil can count on Cuba in the effort to build Latin American and Caribbean unity and integration.
In his victory speech delivered Sunday evening before a huge crowd of supporters in Sao Paulo and after the final results were in, Lula thanked the Brazilian people and highlighted the historic turnout in the runoff.
Lula offered a special thanks to the elderly who made it to the polls despite various challenges: “Today, I saw many instances of people being carried by their grandchildren so they could vote — people who otherwise couldn’t get around, including those battling cancer or other illnesses, yet they still went to vote.”
The president-elect noted the historic voting figures from the day: “We saw the lowest abstention rate in this country’s history, as well as the lowest number of null votes.”
Lula announced plans to regulate digital platforms and promises greater popular participation.
In his post-runoff speech, President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva thanked the public, asserting that the election was won by “overcoming outside interference channeled through digital platforms.”
Lula said: “We must come to realize that a crime committed in the digital realm should be treated just like a crime in the real world. We cannot allow massive, monstrous corporations to rake in millions upon millions—without paying taxes in this country — while attempting to steer the vote and influence the nation’s outcomes.”
On Sunday evening, Lula announced plans to regulate digital platforms and promises greater popular participation.
The president-elect characterized the day by saying: “This election was a defeat for denialism. It was a defeat for lies.”
He recalled the gathering on Avenida Paulista, where the crowd sang the national independence anthem — a demonstration that this country refuses to be anyone’s backyard.”
“Digital communication will have a very significant role in our government. From now on, I will be speaking directly to the Brazilian people many times a day.”
The runoff election on Sunday, October 25th secured a victory for Lula, who will begin a new presidential term on January 1, 2027.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA / teleSUR ]
