Unionist takes over Lula Institute and defends Pochmann – 03/08/2023 – Politics

Woman, black and PT, trade unionist Ivone Silva, 53, takes over the command of the Lula Institute in a unique moment for the entity, created to publicize the legacy of Lula (PT) after eight years as president of the Republic. With him back in the chair, the director reports experiencing a challenge.

In addition to maintaining the original vocation, the organization wants to contribute to the government’s third term. “At the same time that we need to value what was done in the two previous terms, we are in full management [de Lula] and we can help make debates to think about Brazil”, she tells the Sheet.

Ivone has a long career in trade unionism and in the party, to which she has been a member since the 1990s. In the last seven years, she has presided over the Union of Bank Workers in São Paulo, Osasco and Region. On Monday (31), she was the first woman elected to preside over the institute, based in Ipiranga (southern part of São Paulo).

She inherited the post from Marcio Pochmann, who left because of an invitation from Lula himself, who chose him for the presidency of the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) — in a process shrouded in criticism of the peer economist’s lines of thought. liberally oriented.

The defense of Pochmann’s performance is one of the many points in which Ivone echoes Lula’s lines.

In her view, her predecessor, “a wonderful technical professional”, suffered unfounded attacks when he fancied even the possibility of data manipulation at the IBGE under his baton.

The ally also praises his visit to the institute, highlighting the encouragement of discussions on topics such as the impact of the technological revolution on work, digital inclusion, inequality and migration.

Pochmann, who transferred the position, tells the report that “comrade Ivone proved her leadership and outstanding action in the Bank Workers’ Unions, an important arm of the fights in defense of the interests of the working class”, and that “a new phase opens for greatness from the Lula Institute”.

Ivone has a mandate until 2026 and says she wants to “repeat Lula’s spirit” with what she calls “debate democracy”, a reference to the conversations that bring together guests and advisers, most of whom are sympathetic to the PT. “It is a broad space for debates, which is characteristic of President Lula. He listens, he dialogues.”

According to the entity, programs from previous Lula administrations, such as Bolsa Família, Luz para Todos and Minha Casa, Minha Vida, derived from discussions held on site. The current configuration continues the work of the Citizenship Institute, created by the PT and allies in 1991.

The new president —presented as president in official materials— indicates full alignment with the president, who called her after the election and congratulated her on having been, as expected, chosen for the mission. She didn’t make any special requests, according to her.

Ivone, who holds a degree in social sciences from USP and became an Itaú employee in 1989, bought into the fight against interest rates encouraged by Lula and agrees that lowering the basic rate is fundamental.

Even with this obstacle, “the Lula government is wonderful”, affirms the unionist. And she continues the praise when saying that the PT is recovering the self-esteem of the Brazilian people and that the country “will improve even more, as the projects are implemented and the economy is pumping”.

Ivone is also a member of the Economic, Social and Sustainable Development Council, the so-called “Conselhão”, which is used by Planalto as a forum for discussion and advice.

Enthusiast of diversity and inclusion, the trade unionist avoids endorsing the pressure of militants on Lula to indicate to the STF (Federal Supreme Court) a minister with the same profile as her, woman and black. The president was not fully committed to the election, but signals to take into account the demand.

“I didn’t stop to think about it”, says Ivone, when asked.

“I think the important thing is to always have options from women everywhere. But this [STF] it’s a very private thing. In addition to being a woman, being black, you have to look at all the technical issues and everything else. But of course I defend women everywhere, right? I will always defend.”

The president of the institute also disregards the frying of women who hold ministries, saying that she only saw the speculation “in newspaper lines”. For her, society wants to see women in leadership positions, and the federal government has reflected this desire.

“I am very happy when I see us, women, jumping barriers, which are always bigger for us, and managing to reach some places”, she adds.

Ivone’s position was formerly occupied by people whom Lula trusted, such as Pochmann and Paulo Okamotto, who was at the head of the organization between 2011 and 2020 and remains on the board. Since February, he has chaired the Perseu Abramo Foundation, the PT’s research arm.

Okamotto was responsible for the Lula Institute during the phase in which he became the target of Operation Lava Jato. Investigations into suspected money laundering resulted in two complaints, which had the proceedings suspended in 2021 by then STF Minister Ricardo Lewandowski.

A Sheet Okamotto says that the entity was attacked by Lava Jato and today has only one employee, depending on volunteers and partnerships to maintain itself. Resources come from donations, but accountability is done only internally, according to the former president and founder.

Last month, Pochmann released a letter requesting help to finance the courses and other training. “We are very grateful for any and all donations we receive”, he reinforced, after describing a situation of “restricted activities and a reduced team”.

One of the purposes of the institute, in addition to preserving memory, is to guard the presidential collection of Lula’s past mandates. The assets related to the current management are the responsibility of the Union.

“It was an enormous privilege to have at the head of the institute an economist of the stature of Marcio Pochmann, now succeeded by a companion linked to the trade union movement, committed to democratic and popular struggles, and who is a black woman, which is very cool”, says Okamotto.

Ivone also repudiates the Lava Jato findings and says they were nothing more than fake news. During last year’s campaign, the Lula Institute was involved in a lie that spread the untrue information that Ipec, an electoral research company, operated at its headquarters.

The new president is treated in the PT as a pre-candidate for city councilwoman in the 2024 election, but does not confirm the plans. “I still don’t have this debate, no. We won’t have an election until next year”, she replies, when asked.