The Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was elected “Man of the Year 2009″ by the French newspaper ‘Le Monde‘. It is the first time that the vehicle decides to grant the honor to an individual, as occurs once a year in publications such as the American magazine ‘Time’. Earlier this month, the Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’ Lula also granted the same honor.

In a story that holds the cover and four pages of the weekly newspaper, the French publication says that Lula has changed the face of America and turned Brazil into a power. The paper also emphasizes its history of union, their fight against inequality and environmental protection. Besides, President Lula bring together other South America nations, helping then economically.

However, the publication on Thursday (24) cites the recent corruption scandals, cases of nepotism and inequality in the country. Those facts can’t be ignored.

On its website, the newspaper said that to assess who would be honored in his first 65 years of history decided to address persons with positive contributions on the world stage. The name of the president came to be quoted, as explained in text. However, the publication says that Barack Obama was more deserving of the title in 2008 than in 2009.

Via: Le Monde.