1/1/2023–|Last updated: 1/1/202321:45 (Makkah Al-Mukarramah)
Today, Sunday, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, of the left, was elected president of Brazil for the third time, after having been sworn in before the Senate.
Lula da Silva’s inauguration took place, in the absence of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who left the country before the end of his mandate, amid security reinforcements to counter potential threats from his radical supporters.
Lula, 77, returns to assume the presidency of the most prominent power in Latin America, after having presided over it twice from 2003 to 2010, paving the way for the return of the Brazilian left to the Planalto presidential palace.
Up to 300,000 people attended concerts and festivities during the day in the normally quiet Brazilian capital.
Among the nearly 50 foreign diplomatic envoys, 17 are heads of state, including the heads of Germany, Portugal and several Latin American countries such as Argentina and the King of Spain.
The United States sent its interior minister, Deb Haaland, while China sent Wang Qishan, vice president. As for France, it is represented by the plenipotentiary minister for foreign trade, Olivier Pechet.
And the Official Gazette specified – in its version released last Friday – that the Secretary General of the Presidency authorized the exit of members of the security personnel assigned to protect “the ex-president soon”, traveling to Miami from “January 1 as of January 30, 2023.”
Jair Bolsonaro, since the announcement of the narrow victory of his bitter rival Lula in the presidential elections, has lived away from the spotlight in Brasilia, preferring to remain silent. He left the country last Friday for Miami.
It is the first time since 1985 that an outgoing Brazilian president has not worn the presidential sash behind him.
security procedures
And at a time when Bolsonaro’s most extremist supporters do not want Lula to take power and are still standing in front of barracks in several cities and calling for military intervention, security measures have been tightened.
All of the approximately 8,000 police officers in the Brasilia region have been mobilised, as well as 1,000 federal police, who can be supported by elements of the national forces if necessary.
The number of people who could follow Lula’s speech in front of the Palazzo Planalto was limited to 30,000, and the authorities forbade most civilians to carry arms.
And the patrols took place at Brasilia airport, near which an explosive device was discovered a week ago in a tanker planted by a Bolsonaro supporter who wanted to “create chaos” and “prevent the arrival of communism” in Brazil.
oath and palace
The festivities began at 17:20 UTC with the arrival of Lula and his deputy, Geraldo Alcmene, at the cathedral.
Lula was formally sworn in at 18:00 UTC after being sworn in before the Senate, pledging to abide by the constitution.
After being sworn in, head to the Planalto Presidential Palace, designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, to receive the presidential sash inlaid with gold and diamonds.
popular festival
The crowd will gather to hear the new president’s speech in the large Piazzale Giardino dei Ministri near Piazza dei Tre Poteri where Palazzo Planalto, the Senate and the Court of Cassation meet.
The future first lady, Rosangela da Silva, was the main organizer of the ceremonial part of the events, organizing concerts before and after the official ceremonies.
Since Saturday, thousands of PT supporters have flocked to Brasilia by air and land.
As for Lula, who completed his cabinet of 37 ministers in recent days, he will face a “hard task” starting tomorrow, Monday, according to his deputy.
