Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said "he is preparing" to run for the presidency in 2018.
In his first public speech of the year on Wednesday, the politician said he would be travelling the country in 2017 to restore his image and that of his Workers' Party, "which have been criminalised by the press and the justice system", Xinhua news agency reported.
Lula, who served as Brazil's President from 2003-2010, made the remarks at an event of the Landless Workers' Movement in the northern city of Salvador de Bahia.
He was accompanied by Jaques Wagner, former chief of staff to impeached President Dilma Rousseff, and the former President of Petrobras, Sergio Gabrielli.
In reference to allegations that his opponents may seek a legal injunction through the courts to stop him from running, Lula said that everybody should be able to run for the President.
He also said that the Brazilian economy, which is currently into a deep recession, would return to growth through public investments.
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"Brazil needs an agricultural revolution, including using public banks to finance family agriculture, small businesses and consumers," he said.
"The only way this country will grow is if the state invests. The only way (public) debt will fall against GDP is to make GDP grow," Lula added.
--IANS
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