The Brazilian president back in power did not receive the presidential sash from the hands of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, a first since 1985. The latter preferred to fly to Florida.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, sworn in as President of Brazil for a third term in Brasilia on Sunday, received the presidential sash during the ceremonies from the hands of representatives of the people, including the indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire, in the absence of Jair Bolsonaro .
The democratic tradition usually wants the newly elected president to receive the clothing of his predecessor. This is the first time since 1985, and the end of the military regime, that the transfer of power has not taken place as planned in Brazil between the former and the new president.
The absence of the former Brazilian head of state was expected, Jair Bolsonaro having chosen to snub the investiture ceremonies by leaving the country two days earlier, heading for the United States.
A black child, a steelworker and an Indian chief
Breaking with protocol, Lula walked up the ramp to the Planalto presidential palace escorted by a black child, a steelworker, a cook, a teacher and a disabled youngster, among other representatives of the Brazilian people.
In one of the most anticipated moments of the ceremony, Aline Sousa, a 33-year-old black employee, girded Lula with the presidential sash, a green and yellow silk ribbon set with gold and diamonds.
The native cacique Raoni Metuktire, an emblematic Indian chief defender of the Amazon, easily identifiable with his characteristic lip disc and his headdress of yellow feathers, was also one of the citizens designated to accompany the new president.
To represent France, the Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Olivier Becht was also present.
The president in tears
In tears, the new president embraced each member of the group, before posing for the photographers and greeting the tens of thousands of people, often dressed in red, the color of his Workers’ Party (PT), gathered in the Place des Three Powers.
He was accompanied by the First Lady, Rosangela da Silva, alias Janja, organizer of the ceremony, and their dog Resistencia, adopted while he was in prison, accused of corruption.
The icon of the Brazilian left, aged 77, has been invested for a third term at the head of the country. He had already occupied the presidential palace from 2003 to 2010.
Reclusive and almost silent since his defeat in October, former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro flew to Florida.
