Rousseff says reviving growth is her biggest challenge

President Dilma Rousseff said in an interview published by Chile newspaper El Mercurio today (Feb. 26) that her biggest present challenge is reviving growth to allow Brazil to create jobs and opportunities for Brazilians again. Rousseff arrived in Santiago in the early afternoon for a two-day visit to the country.

Talking about the political crisis in Brazil and the impeachment bid against her in the Chamber of Deputies, the president maintained she is not implicated in corruption. “In spite of all attempts by opposition sectors to knock me out of office by whatever illegitimate and illegal means, I will continue to abide by what the Constitution tells me to. We have big issues that require our attention,  including a pension reform. Brazil can't, and won't, stall.”

According to the president, Brazilian economy is experiencing a period of transition to accommodate a new global reality with the end of the commodity supercycle. Rousseff pointed out that the adoption of a set of measures to ensure fiscal solvency is part of the government's commitment to reviving growth.

Asked how she expects to wind up her term, the president said she would like to hand over a country in full economic recovery with better living standards for the population.

Translated by Mayra Borges