Lula criticizes agribusiness resistance in Santa Catarina

During a campaign rally in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the agribusiness sector for its political resistance to his administration. He argued that the sector should not only vote for him but “should kneel to me” because of the record levels of federal funding and credit provided to agriculture under his mandate.

Lula suggested that the opposition from some producers might be rooted in prejudice, stating, “I think it is a matter of skin, because I am from the Northeast and I am poor.” He highlighted that his government has opened numerous new international markets for Brazilian products, including poultry and pork.

Accompanied by Gelson Merísio, the PSB candidate for governor, Lula stated that Merísio’s candidacy aims to challenge current Governor Jorginho Mello and foster dialogue with the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, First Lady Janja Lula da Silva characterized left-wing activists in the conservative state as a “resistance” against the far-right.

The President also used the event to criticize the previous administration's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and reiterated his intention to ban sports betting platforms.