By Indianara Goz
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Thursday night (Nov. 5) that he wants to create a Ministry of Public Security by provisional measure, a presidential decree with the force of law. He made the announcement during a live stream with Congressman André Janones, in which he also made a rare admission: he is feeling "more fear than in the first term."
The contrast stands out. On one side, the tone of someone promising a tougher line. On the other, the confession of someone who recognizes the weight of what he promised.
Brazil's security ministry: announced, not yet created
Lula said he would discuss the proposal with members of his government on Friday (Nov. 6), after the Senate approved the Public Security PEC, a proposed constitutional amendment. According to him, the new structure will only work if it comes with funding, preparation of the police forces and cooperation with states and municipalities. The president also again mentioned the creation of a national guard.
Then came the soundbite: "I am going to teach the criminals how to respect society," Lula said.
It is important to separate rhetoric from reality. What Lula presented is an intention of the government. The creation and operation of the ministry still depend on administrative and legislative steps. For now, there is an announcement, not a ministry.
Lula: "Now I'm more afraid"
In the middle of the festive mood, Lula said he feels a greater responsibility than in 2003, when he began his first term. "Now I'm more afraid than in the first term," he said.
He tied that concern to the expectations of those who supported him and argued that the next government must keep its promises and match the mobilization that brought voters to the streets. Responding to Janones about the power of social media, he acknowledged that a defeat in the first round made him reconsider the weight of digital communication. The two plan to keep going with the mobilization organized by the congressman after the election.
Betting, the Supreme Court and strategic minerals
Lula reiterated that he opposes online betting ("bets") and said he believes he will be able to sustain that position at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Brazil's highest court. He criticized the economic arguments used to defend betting and showed concern about the effect on the poorest.
On strategic minerals, he said foreign companies can take part, but argued for rules that guarantee the resources are processed in Brazil, rather than limiting the country to exporting raw materials.
A jab at Flávio Bolsonaro and an international agenda
Lula also again took a swipe at Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator for the Liberal Party (PL) from Rio de Janeiro state. He said the senator had supposedly sought protection abroad and would need to return to Brazil to answer lawsuits. That was a political accusation made during the live stream, not a court decision announced in the broadcast.
The president invited Janones to accompany him to Turkey, where he will attend COP31, and on a working trip to the Philippines. The idea is to bring the live streams with supporters to the international agenda, in what Lula called an "itinerant army in the world."
On a personal note, he said he misses going out alone with his wife, Janja, for a beer in a small bar, free of the restrictions of the presidency. He also said he avoids inviting ministers to his home, because hosting one would end up requiring him to invite all the others.
Why it matters
Public security is among the main concerns of Brazilians, and the federal government has long been criticized for leaving most of the burden to the states. A federal ministry dedicated to the issue would be a significant change, but it would need money, police preparation and cooperation with state governments, as Lula himself acknowledged.
What comes next
The next step is the government meeting on the new ministry and on the text of the provisional measure, which will have to be published for the idea to leave the realm of speeches. It will also be necessary to know how much the new structure will cost and where the money will come from, points Lula mentioned but did not detail in the live stream.
VDD Analysis
Public security is the greatest anguish of Brazilians, and announcing a ministry in a live stream, amid memes and jokes, is not the same as delivering results. Someone who has already been through the Planalto Palace three times knows the problem is not a lack of a ministry, but of priority, resources and accountability. The "fear" Lula confessed at least acknowledges what is at stake: a promise without delivery sends the bill sooner or later, and the one who pays is the citizen who lives with violence every day.
