Brazil: an investiture under high tension for Lula in a country in mourning and deeply divided

The king is dead, long live the king !

It is unlikely that the Brazilians will take up this old adage on Sunday.

Because their king, Pelé, will never be replaced.

And that the investiture of President Lula, scheduled for January 1, will be held in a country deeply torn.

History will remember that one of the last decisions taken by President Jair Bolsonaro during his mandate will be to have decreed three days of national mourning to pay tribute to the legend of football.

Legend of football who, on the political field, will also have distinguished himself by certain ambiguities as to his relationship to democracy, particularly under the regime of General Medici.

Or when he dedicated a jersey to the outgoing far-right president in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, managed in a catastrophic and conspiratorial way in Brazil.

Bolsonaro reaction.

Who reminds whoever would have forgotten that Pelé dedicated a jersey to him at the height of the covid-19 epidemic.

pic.twitter.com/nceyAY5Zre

— Bruno Meyerfeld (@brunomeyerfeld) December 29, 2022

The tension is extreme and the current period of mourning will probably not extinguish it.

On the evening of December 24, a supporter of President Bolsonaro was arrested after placing an explosive device in a truck full of fuel near Brasília airport.

The man had only arrived in the capital a few weeks ago and had settled in the camp located in front of the army headquarters by voters of the far-right leader.

These far-right supporters are calling on the army to intervene, no more and no less.

A camp that the authorities have failed to dismantle.

Brasilia is therefore on alert and security measures have been reinforced for the enthronement of President Lula on Sunday.

It was his wife who decided to take charge of this event, promising a great popular celebration, a first of January which “will begin in joy and end in joy”.

In joy and under the eyes of the police.

More than 300,000 Brazilians are expected in the streets of Brasilia, for 8,000 police and 1,000 additional federal agents.

The Ministry of Justice has also authorized the use of the National Force, a special police force sometimes sent to the various states in the event of a threat to law and order.

While waiting for the ceremony, authorities have asked Lula and his family to stay in a hotel for security reasons, a local newspaper reports.

Prohibition of carrying weapons

Three of Lula's brothers are expected to attend the event on Sunday, along with the president-elect's five children, his wife, eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

The avenues leading to the Esplanade of the Ministries will be closed, as well as the main artery that allows access to the Square of the Three Powers, where the Presidential Palace of the Planalto, the Congress and the Supreme Court are located.

Will Lula go down the Esplanade aboard the black convertible Rolls-Royce, as tradition dictates?

He could, instead, use an armored vehicle.

The decision will be taken “at the last moment”, said the future Minister of Public Security on Tuesday.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes also banned the carrying of weapons from December 28 to January 2 for various categories of civilians.

This measure concerns in particular hunters, shooters and collectors, whose number has exploded with the pro-weapons policy of Jair Bolsonaro.

The Workers' Party, founded by Lula, also issued its instructions.

He distributed brochures to his activists with 14 safety recommendations during the ceremonies, for example to move in a group or, if you are alone, "not to wear anything that identifies your political color".

The PT also recommends to its faithful "not to respond to physical and verbal provocations".

On Friday, Jair Bolsonaro said goodbye to his supporters.

It was the first time he had spoken on social media since his electoral defeat in October.

Two days from the end of his mandate, he could not hold back a few tears.

He then boarded an air force plane, heading for the United States, according to several Brazilian media.

Information that the former president, however, has not confirmed.

Ato falho do excelentíssimo:

"Se cheguei aqui, teve um propósito. No mínimo ATRASAR quatro anos do nosso Brasil" (BOLSONARO, Jair).

Quanta sincerity!

🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/sOJTe8mITp

— Rogerio Correia (@RogerioCorreia_) December 30, 2022

He should therefore not be present at the inauguration ceremonies of the new president on Sunday.

This is the first time since 1985 that an outgoing Brazilian president has decided not to gird his successor with the presidential sash.

That year, the last president of the military dictatorship established in 1964, General João Figueiredo, refused to participate in the investiture ceremony of his successor, José Sarney.

“Herculean task”

It is written that President Lula's third term will not be peaceful.

Certainly, he is perceived as "close to the people" and is still very much loved, particularly in the poor regions of the Northeast, his historic stronghold.

But he is also hated by some Brazilians for whom he forever embodies corruption after going through prison.

Jair Bolsonaro had also continued to call him a "thief" and "ex-prisoner" during the electoral campaign at loggerheads.

A “Herculean task” now awaits him, warned his vice-president Geraldo Alckmin.

According to Lula's transition team, four years of "irresponsible management" under Bolsonaro have left Brazil in a sorry state: "situation of shortage" and "backsliding" in many sectors - social policies, education, health, environment.

His first steps will focus on the environment, education and racial equality, if he follows the recommendations of his transition team.

It should also restrict gun ownership, which has exploded under Bolsonaro.

Internationally, an often popular Lula abroad will have to reconcile Brazil with all the countries hit by Bolsonaro.