Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was officially sworn in as President of Brazil this Sunday, January 1, 2023 after swearing in the Constitution before Congress. Lula, who served two terms as head of state between 2003 and 2010, defeated far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in October’s election, shifting the South American nation to the left.
A minute’s silence was observed in Congress in tribute to Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who died Thursday of cancer, and to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died Saturday, moments before the inauguration of Lula and his vice president. From right to left, Geraldo Alckmin .
Des dizaines de milliers de partisans portant la couleur du Parti des Travailleurs (PT) ont salué dans la liesse Lula alors qu’il se rendait au Congrès dans la traditionnelle Rolls Royce decapotable, avec Geraldo Alckmin et leurs épouses, en dépit des craintes liées à safety.
Brazil “does not need to deforest”
Following his inauguration, Lula pledged to “rebuild the country, with the Brazilian people” in a strong speech to Congress on Sunday, evoking the “disastrous” record of Jair Bolsonaro. He accused his far-right predecessor of having “exhausted health resources, dismantled education, culture, science and technology, and destroyed environmental protection” and assured that Brazil “does not need to deforest” to sustain its agriculture.
The inauguration ceremonies, held under tight security while far-right activists have yet to acknowledge Lula’s victory, were snubbed by outgoing head of state Jair Bolsonaro, who left Brazil two days before the end of his term. .
Therefore, he will not hand over the presidential sash to his successor as is the democratic tradition, which has not happened since 1985 and the end of the military regime.
Up to 300,000 people were expected for this day, combining pomp, with millimeter ceremonies attended by 17 heads of state, and a popular festival with concerts.
Source: BFM TV
