Brazil: Lula’s tears during his speech to the crowd in Brasilia

Emotional day in Brazil. President officially installed this Sunday by Congress, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addressed the human tide dressed in red, the color of the Workers’ Party, which had gathered in the streets of the capital Brasilia.

“No one will be a second-class citizen anymore”

After having received the presidential sash from the hands of a citizens’ delegation made up of several workers, including a garbage man and a teacher, but also by the emblematic defender of the Amazonian forest Raoni Metuktire -and this due to the absence of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro who was going to fulfill that mission- Lula was extremely moved when detailing the challenges of his mandate.

“I will govern for 215 million Brazilians, and not only for those who voted for me,” he said.

“Unfortunately, much of what we have built in thirteen years has been destroyed in a very short time, especially due to four years of a government of national destruction whose legacy history will never forgive,” the 77-year-old leader accused then.

Overwhelmed with emotion and interrupted by sobs, the historic leader of the left pledged to fight against hunger, “the most serious crime” and to “combat all forms of inequality.” “No one will be a second-class citizen anymore,” he promised.

“Rebirth of Democracy”

Elected by a narrow margin on October 30 against Jair Bolsonaro, the old lion of Brazilian politics was sworn in for a third term as head of the great emerging country, 12 years after leaving power after two terms (2003-2010).

Lula’s return to the Planalto Palace marks a remarkable comeback for the man who experienced prison just four years ago after being accused of corruption. A return experienced as a rebirth for many of his followers present in Brasilia. “We have been suffering for four years. Today we are witnessing a rebirth of democracy,” Lurdiana Araújo insisted to AFP.

A minute’s silence was also observed in Congress in tribute to Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who died on Thursday, and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday.