Pedro Bassan is a prominent Brazilian journalist, currently working at the Lisbon-based office of Brazil's largest television network Globo TV.

Milena Hristova spoke with Pedro Bassan as Dilma Rousseff, who is of Bulgarian origin, became the first female president of Latin America's largest nation when she was sworn in January 1.

The interview is also part of Novinite.com new section "Bulgaria in 2011", highlighting the most important issues and events that the country will face this year.

Lula da Silva is stepping down with an approval rate of 80%, the most popular Brazilian leader since the fifties when Getulio Vargas headed the country. Do you think Dilma Rousseff will manage to repeat his success? Why?

I think that no other politician will be as popular as Lula in Brazil, at least not in the short term. Even if President Dilma (we usually call people by their first names in Brazil, even in more formal occasions) can make a technically perfect government, I think she will never manage to match Lula's approval rates. His background is a true fairy tale story - a poor blue collar worker who made it to the big stage and became president of a big country. Besides, he is by far more charismatic than her and has a more popular approach with people.

Lula propelled from obscurity to the presidency Dilma Rousseff, who assured Brazilians that she will provide continuity. Has she however managed to convince the doubters that she is not simply Lula in lipstick?

I think that it won't be difficult. She has been keeping a very low profile since the elections, but in a few remarks in this period she managed to give new guidelines to the foreign policy, for example, assuring that Brazil will be more assertive in human rights protection and less focused on getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

The general opinion is that Brazil is well on its way to become a global power. What will be the biggest challenge that Dilma Rousseff will face as president of the country?

The main challenge will be to keep Brazil on track while taking the next step in its economic development. Brazil achieved incredible results in taking millions out of poverty. But now what? How long can we still be raw material dealers? Brazil needs to make a strategic jump focused on modernizing our industry and improving our educational system.

Did Dilma Rousseff's links to Bulgaria help promote the country in Brazil and make Brazilians know more about it?

Of course! Brazil and Eastern Europe were in opposite camps during the Cold War. I think that Dilma Rousseff helped to promote not only Bulgaria, but the surrounding countries too, a very remote place for the average Brazilian, at least from my generation. Now, many Brazilians know where Gabrovo is. And that is not a joke!

Dilma Rousseff won a landslide Bulgarian vote even before being elected president of Brazil – the country was gripped by a "Dilma fever" because of her Bulgarian roots. Do you find this a bit over the top? Hungarians, for example, didn't claim Nicolas Sarkozy as one of theirs when he won the French presidency...

Well, if there is any exageration both countries are in the same mood. We can say that Brazilians have a bit of a "Bulgaria fever" too. Brazil is a country created by immigrants. We have a natural curiosity about our roots. Brazilians are proud of it. I think that the feeling is totally different in France.

Bulgarian media are showering a round-the-clock attention on Ms Rousseff. To what an extent do Brazilian journalists and Dilma Rousseff herself highlight the fact that she is a Bulgarian descendent?

All the main TV broadcasts and newspapers in Brazil have sent jounalists to Bulgaria to learn more about the country and the backgounds of our new president. Even for a country with so many immigrants, I should say that it sounds a bit exotic that the President's father came from so far away. I think that President Dilma has deep personal feelings about Bulgaria. I'm sure that she grew up hearing stories about Bulgaria from her father. But I don't think that this fact can influence Brazilian foreign policy. Dilma, as a President, needs to have a moderate approach, of course. And we all agree that the relationship with the US, for example, is a bit more important for both Brazil and Bulgaria.

Dilma Rousseff has been described in Bulgaria's media as the "Iron Lady" and the "Bulgarian Margaret Thatcher". Do these descriptions reflect the real Dilma Rousseff? How would you describe Dilma Rousseff as a politician?

Yes, I do think that these descriptions are not far from reality. It's not totally right that she came from obscurity. She played an important role in the last term of President Lula as his main minister. She has never been a candidate before, but has been working in politics for a long time. And she is being described by everybody as a tough lady, determined to reach her goals.

Do you believe Dilma Rousseff will keep her promise to visit her father's homeland, hopefully by the end of 2011?

I think that she wants to go to Bulgaria and that will be a very emotional trip for her. She has no reason to change plans as a visit to Bulgaria would be important for any Brazilian president.

You visited Bulgaria for the first time as a journalist back in the 90s, shortly after the collapse of the communist regime. How do you find the country changed now?

Well, this is a moment of economic crisis. And I feel that I missed something very important in between. Bulgaria is clearly one step ahead, the country have reached EU standards in many areas. I feel that now Bulgaria is a land of opportunities.

Do you find any similarities between Bulgaria and Brazil? How would you describe the two countries in just three words?

My previous answer is about that too. Both countries now can offer many opportunities. The current crisis seems to be a turning point for Bulgaria. Both Brazil and Bulgaria have many problems, but the economic growth for Brazil and the EU for Bulgaria seems to be two highways to prosperity. In three words? Bulgaria: DILMA, ROUSSEFF, HOMELAND. Brazil: DILMA, ROUSSEFF, HOPE.

Can we hope that Bulgaria will enter Brazilian news in 2011 too and not only because of President Rousseff?

Of course, yes. You guys just need to keep in shape your volleyball team...

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