Andrew Downie – The Christian Science Monitor, 10/22/2010
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva greets supporters after testing a newly installed cable car system at the Complexo do Alemao slum in Rio de Janeiro. Felipe Dana/AP
They say that one mark of great politicians is their ability to look you in the eye and make you believe every word they say. Even when you know they might not believe it themselves.
Outgoing Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has that quality.
The problem with Lula – as he is widely known – is that he tells one audience one thing and then contradicts himself the very next day in front of a completely different crowd.
The latest example came this week when Lula, who stands down on Jan. 1 after a phenomenally successful eight years in power, told a Brazilian TV station he might consider running again in 2014.
Brazil’s Lula da Silva and former Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez are the most probable candidates for the Union of South American Nations, Unasur, secretary general chair, according to Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa. Ecuador currently holds the rotating presidency of Unasur.
Brazil Portal 