President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s interview had an awkward moment that involved minister Fernando Haddad and was also marked by the absence of the Minister of Social Communication, Sidônio Palmeira.
Over the course of an hour and a half, Lula used papers and notes to help him with the ten questions asked by journalists, chosen by lottery. Quoted by the president more than a dozen times, Haddad, who was present, was the president’s point of reference during the interview. He received praise, but he also left Planalto ready to face even more pressure to run in São Paulo in next year’s election.
The Finance Minister, who has already stated that he does not intend to run in next year’s election, faced embarrassment when Lula was asked if he would like to see him as a candidate in the state.
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Haddad smiled, but did not hide his discomfort, when the president replied that he hoped he would be in the race, despite emphasizing that he would respect his option. Sitting next to Haddad, the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, laughed.
While Lula answered questions, Haddad made geometric notes on a pad of paper. Near the end of the interview, 1:15 pm, he asked the Press Secretary, Laercio Portela, how many questions were left to end the press conference. Portela replied that only one.
Sidônio, who in another interview given by Lula in a similar format at the beginning of the year, was a point of guidance by acting as a kind of guide nodding his head when he considered the appropriate answers, this time he did not attend because, according to Secom, he had exams already pre-scheduled.
