Lula defends democracy in speech after certification this Monday

The president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, defended democracy today (12) and reaffirmed his commitment to make Brazil a "more developed and fairer" country. 

Lula was speaking after being certified by the president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Minister Alexandre de Moraes, as the elected candidate. The vice-president-elect, Geraldo Alckmin, also received the document.

After receiving his diploma, Lula gave an emotional speech in defense of democracy and the electoral system. According to the president-elect, during the elections, the nation was 'poisoned with lies' produced in the social networks, sowing 'lies and hatred'. 

'I want to say that much more than the diplomation ceremony of a president-elect, this is the celebration of democracy. Few times in the recent history of this country has democracy been so threatened. Few times in our history has the popular will been so put to the test, and had to overcome so many obstacles to finally be heard", he stated. 

The president-elect also guaranteed his commitment to making a country "more developed and just" during his four years in office." 

"I reaffirm today that I will make every effort to, together with my vice-president Geraldo Alckmin, fulfill the commitment I made not only during the campaign, but throughout a lifetime - to make Brazil a more developed and fairer country, with the guarantee of dignity and quality of life for all Brazilians, especially those most in need," he said. 

Upon receiving his diploma as elected for the third time, Lula recalled the questionings he received throughout his public life for not having a university degree. 

"I want to thank the Brazilian people for the honor of presiding over Brazil for the third time," he concluded.