Later today, the Supreme Court in Brazil will decide on the fate of former president and former chairman of the Brazilian Workers’ Party (PT) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has been accused of passive corruption in a highly controversial lawsuit.

 

 

“It has been a very controversial process. We worry about the possible politicisation of the justice system in Brazil and rumours about the interference of the military.

 

“It is crucial to ensure that the implementation of the rule of law in Brazil is clear, transparent and able to allow the Brazilian people the right to make its democratic choices without any unconstitutional constraints. As a big democratic nation, the transparency in all this process is essential, not only for Brazil’s own future but also for a strengthened relationship between Brazil and the European Union.

 

“Lula has been a very good president for Brazil. His social programmes benefited tens of millions of Brazilians, and this is why he is still so popular among Brazilians. He fought decisively against hunger, poverty and discrimination, and reduced the huge social inequality. This fight for a just and fair society has to continue. We are very worried that a progressive alternative could be excluded from a democratic procedure, based on a politicised atmosphere."