In his address to Congress, Lula emphasized several issues and political concerns facing the leader, including investments in education and health. In the meantime, former president Jair Bolsonaro has not yet acknowledged the victory and was in Florida for the celebration.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in for a third term as president of Brazil, making him the country’s new yet familiar leader.
After three unsuccessful tries, the socialist politician known as Lula occupied Brazil’s highest position between 2003 to 2010.
Now 77 years old, he took office in October after defeating far-right contender Jair Bolsonaro. The ceremony in Brasilia was surrounded by tight security out of concern that Bolsonaro supporters may attempt to disrupt proceedings.
Following a ceremony at Brazil’s congress, up to 300,000 individuals gathered on the esplanade to celebrate.
In his Sunday address to Congress, he detailed many of the issues and political goals facing the president, including investments in education and health.
“This nation’s massive structure of rights, sovereignty, and progress has been systematically dismantled in recent years. And to rebuild this structure, we will direct all of our efforts “he said.
The new president began his address by accusing his predecessor’s administration of committing genocide by failing to control the COVID-19 pandemic, which killed over 680,000 Brazilians.
He stated that he was inheriting a devastated nation where hunger had returned, as well as exhausting resources for some of the sectors he desires to address, including education, health care, and the conservation of rain forests.
Since Lula was last in power, the economy has changed dramatically, as the commodity boom that financed education and infrastructure initiatives has ended. Now he must pay for COVID-19 charges and escalating prices worldwide.
Concerns also existed regarding Mr. Bolsonaro’s readiness to accept the results of the closest presidential election in more than three decades, as his political opponents resisted his assuming office. Mr. Bolsanaro has not yet acknowledged Lula’s victory and did not attend the event, having left Brazil on Friday for Florida.
A polarised Brazil
The election was won by a margin of less than two percentage points, and Mr. Bolsonaro spent months casting doubt on the integrity of Brazil’s electronic voting system. Mr. Bolsanaro stayed mute for many days after the election was called for Lula, and tensions grew as some supporters of the former president blocked roadways in protest of Lula’s victory. Lula assumes control of a polarised Brazil.
However, this was not always the case. In 2011, he retired with an approval rating of 83%. A succession of scandals resulted in his incarceration on corruption allegations that were later dismissed.
