Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has taken oath as the new president of Brazil, reaching the highest post for the third time.
The veteran left-wing politician, famous as Lula, also headed South America’s largest country between 2003 and 2010, defeated Jair Bolsonaro in October’s poll.
While giving his first speech, Lula determined to reconstruct a country in “terrible ruins”.
He condemned the policies of Bolsonaro, his predecessor, who traveled to the United States on Friday, ignoring the handover ceremony.
Massive supporters of Lula came in front of Congress in the early morning, representing a sea of red, the color of the leader’s Workers’ Party. They came there to watch their leader sworn in, however, for the celebration as well.
The swearing-in ceremony included over 60 artists like Samba legend Martinho da Vila and they performed on two big stages which were decorated with the national flag. The event was part of a music festival called “Lulapalooza”.
“Love has won over hate,” read a banner carried by a man dressed as Lula with a presidential sash.
“Brazil needed this change, this transformation,” said another supporter of the new leader.
Before arriving at the Congress building, where the swearing-in took place to kick off the official inauguration ceremony, Lula and the incoming Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin paraded through the city in an open-top convertible.
Lula and the vice president were busy for the past few days selecting their cabinet members and appointing supporters to important state-owned businesses.
His speech was occasionally marked with emotions and in one instance he started crying while describing street life which includes begging people who are desperate for food.
He returned to the position of president after two decades, during which time he spent some time in prison after being convicted of corruption. The convictions were subsequently reversed in 2021.
His speech was mostly about unity and reconstruction. These two are not just words but strong sentiments underlining the state of a deeply divided country, hugely affected by the pandemic and polarised politically.
Lula is aware that his greatest struggle will be persuading those who believe he is a dishonest politician who belongs in prison that he actually does belong back in the presidential palace and can lead them as well.
