Latest news from the inauguration: Lula parades in an open car, climbs the Congress ramp and becomes the new president of Brazil

*This note is being updated

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva chose to travel in the traditional open Rolls-Royce, accompanied by vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and their wives, Lu Alckmin and Rosângela da Silva.

Upon arriving at Congress, the president and vice president were received by the presidents of the parliamentary houses, Rodrigo Pacheco and Arthur Lira.

Lula and Alckmin took their oaths as commanders of the Nation in front of heads of state, parliamentarians and other authorities. Soon after, the two signed the instrument of investiture.

Speech in Congress

“We do not carry any desire for revenge against those who tried to subjugate the Nation to their personal and ideological designs, but we will guarantee the rule of law. Whoever made a mistake will answer for their mistakes, with a broad right to defense, within due legal process”, said President Lula.

“When I was elected president for the first time, alongside José Alencar, I started my inauguration speech with the word 'change'... the right to a dignified life, without hunger, with access to employment, health and education. He said, on that occasion, that my life's mission would be accomplished when every Brazilian man and woman could eat 1 meals a day. Having to repeat this commitment today is the most serious symptom of the devastation that has been imposed on the country in recent years”, highlighted Lula.

Lula affirmed the repeal of decrees that increased the population's weapons and reinforced respect for all religions. He also spoke about regaining leadership in the world, especially in preserving the environment.

Movement in Brasilia

A crowd attends President Lula's inauguration ceremony.

The forecast was for 300 people to gather on the streets of the federal capital to watch Lula/Alckmin's inauguration and the Festival of the Future, with shows by more than 60 artists on the Esplanada dos Ministérios.

Early in the morning, supporters lined up at security checkpoints and demonstrated their support for the elected president, shouting “Lula, warrior of the Brazilian people!” and “Aha, huh, the Esplanade is ours!”.

International delegations

The new president received greetings from around 20 heads of state – a record number for an inauguration ceremony in the country.

Find out how the inauguration rite of the new President of the Republic works

Lula and Alckmin will be sworn in this January 1st, as determined by the Federal Constitution, in Article 78: the solemn session will take place in the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies from 15pm. Before, both take part in a procession that starts at the Esplanada dos Ministérios, close to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília, and continues to the National Congress. The parade – open or closed – and the presidential sash passing are still the unknowns of the day.

Bolsonaro's absence for the presidential sash passing

Bolsonaro left Brazil on Friday (30) and traveled to the United States two days before the end of his mandate. For the first time since 1985, an incoming president will not receive the presidential sash from his predecessor, and it is still unknown who will hand it to Lula.

(With AFP)