The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSD), was booed when he began his speech at a federal government ceremony to sign a Petrobras contract for the construction of ships. Leite responded to the boos by questioning whether this was “love that overcame fear” and asking for respect because it was an institutional agenda.
“Is this the love that overcame fear? No, right. So let’s respect it, please. I’m here fulfilling my institutional duty, in respect for the position I hold, on behalf of the people of Rio Grande do Sul, with respect for the President of the Republic. All of us here, the President and I, were elected by the same people, I respect the position of the President of the Republic and I ask for respect”, stated Eduardo Leite.
Leite also declared that the reaction of PT activists against him is a sign of worsening polarization and recalled the divided result of the last presidential election. Still citing a government motto, he said that one cannot “hostilize those who think differently” to achieve “unity and reconstruction”. Furthermore, he said that the attitude of those present “ignites hatred, resentment and hurt” in a part of the population.
“In the last election, Brazil had a president elected by 50.8% of the votes, 49% of the population voted for another candidate. If you want unity and reconstruction, don’t simply antagonize anyone who thinks differently. This doesn’t get you anywhere. The effective union that we want for our country involves respect, respect for functions, respect for people, respect for environments. Here it is an institutional environment, it is the president of the Republic. It is not an electoral rally.”
Lula and Leite are participating in a signing ceremony for the contracting of five gas tankers, 18 barges and 18 pushers within the Open Sea Program, a plan to renew and expand the Petrobras System fleet.
