As he takes reins, Lula vows to save Brazil from 'Bolsonaro era'

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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as the President of Brazil to begin a four-year term for the third time in his life, Brazilian sources reported on Sunday.

At the time of his swearing-in, Lula was seen wearing a blue suit and tie and began with a moment of silence for both football icon Pele and former Pope Benedict XVI who both recently passed away.

The new Brazilian President vowed to haul Brazil out of Jair Bolsonaro’s era of “devastation”, and barbarism. He promised to lead Brazil into a new chapter of environmental protection, social progress, and a “rational democratic” government.

“Democracy was the big winner in this election … Long live democracy! Love live the Brazilian people!” he told lawmakers to loud cheers.

Without mentioning his right-wing predecessor by name in his 30-minute address, Lula excoriated the damage done by Bolsonaro’s four-year administration during which nearly 700,000 Brazilians died of a mishandled Covid outbreak, millions were plunged into poverty, and Amazon deforestation soared.

The “criminal behavior of a denialist and obscurantist government that treated people’s lives with callousness” during the coronavirus pandemic should not go unpunished, Lula told Congress.

“Those who made mistakes will have to respond for those mistakes,” he declared, although he denied seeking revenge.

Lula had previously led Brazil for a first term from 2003 to 2006, and a second term from 2006 to 2010. In his inaugural address before Congress, Lula vowed to "maintain, defend and obey the constitution" as he returns to the presidency.

In the Tweet below, he is heard saying: "No nation will be able to rise on the misery of its people."

No discurso de posse, #Lula afirmou que "nenhuma nação poderá se erguer sobre a miséria de seu povo", e garantiu a manutenção do Bolsa Família. pic.twitter.com/S4oKg1C7bz

— Metrópoles (@Metropoles) January 1, 2023

Prior to his comeback, Lula's reputation was tainted by fabricated charges of corruption which have since been rebuked. 

He is now returning to the presidential palace amid heightened concerns of extremists that try to get rid of him.

Just a week ago, the Brazilian police investigated a suspected bomb threat in the country's capital Brasilia where a Bolsonaro supporter had planned to carry out an attack. 

Another man was arrested on Sunday as he attempted to enter the inaugural ceremony carrying a knife and explosives. 

According to the military police, the man was trying to enter Brasilia's esplanade for the inauguration of President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but was arrested just in time before he could carry out the attack.

Sources reported yesterday that the office of Brazil's Vice President declared him an acting president, implying that President Jair Bolsonaro has left the country and will break tradition by skipping his political rival's inauguration.

According to tweets, Bolsonaro was spotted eating at KFC alone in Orlando.

Whilst Lula's inauguration in Brazil welcomes the largest number of international delegations in history,
Bolsonaro was spotted having a meal by himself at a KFC in Orlando. https://t.co/GuQZnmuzgW

— Nathália Urban (@UrbanNathalia) January 1, 2023

About 19 heads of state attended Lula's inauguration on Sunday, which included the presidents of several Latin American countries, Germany, Portugal, and the king of Spain.

Some of the pressing challenges Lula will be facing as his third term begins include resetting economic growth, halting the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, and pursuing his fight against poverty and inequality. 

The socialist president will also face a Congress widely dominated by Bolsonaro's allies.

Read more: Lula picks Amazon defender for environment minister