President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered his annual Christmas address to the nation on December 23, 2024, emphasizing themes of compassion, reconciliation, and economic optimism as he nears the midway point of his third term.
Broadcast on national radio and television, the speech highlighted the importance of the Christmas season, with Lula urging Brazilians to embrace the values of compassion, fraternity, respect, and love. He noted, "The Christmas is a good moment to remind ourselves of the teachings of Christ: compassion, fraternity, respect, and love for one another. My wish is for these teachings to be present not only at Christmas but every day of our lives."
Lula's address came shortly after his recovery from surgery for a hematoma, which required hospitalization due to an accident at home. The President expressed his gratitude for the messages of support he received, stating, "Thanks to this wave of solidarity, I am now even stronger and firmer to continue making Brazil work." His remarks came as he reflected on significant challenges facing Brazil, from economic issues to social concerns.
Throughout his speech, Lula struck an optimistic tone about Brazil's economic performance, asserting, "We still have enormous challenges ahead. But Brazil today has a strong economy, which continues to grow." This message was particularly pertinent as the government seeks to regain financial credibility amid market concerns over rising public debt and currency fluctuations.
Lula emphasized the need to maintain dialogue between various branches of government, stating, "The basis of everything we do is dialogue and joint work between the federal government and society, as well as state and municipal governments." He underscored his commitment to harmony among the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches as pivotal to sustaining democracy, especially defined during this politically charged era.
His call for unity extended to the public as well, as Lula urged families to reconcile differences. He articulated hope for "a more just country" where every individual enjoys dignity and opportunity, where every parent feels assured their children are healthy and well cared for.
Lula's Christmas address served not only as a celebration of the holiday's spirit but also as a reflection on his administration's goals and achievements. Coming at the close of his administration's first half, the President highlighted the progress made and emphasized the need to sow and cultivate goodwill and productivity. He stated, "We have done much, and there is still much to do. We are harvesting the fruits of our labor, but we must continue planting, fertilizing, irrigated, and caring always and forever. By 2025, we will redouble our efforts for planting, and may the harvest be ever more generous."
Concluding his address, Lula wished all Brazilians happy holidays and prosperity for the new year, encapsulating his message of hope and collective strength. His speech, carefully crafted with the guidance of his campaign publicist Sidônio Palmeira, set forth both immediate intentions for the holiday season and long-term aspirations for the nation as it braces for the coming year.
