Tens of thousands of supporters of Lula dressed in red had invaded the center of Brasilia at midday on Sunday, a few hours before the historic leader of the left was proclaimed president of Brazil for the third time.
The investiture ceremonies, placed under high security, were snubbed by outgoing head of state Jair Bolsonaro, who left Brazil two days before the end of his term.
He will therefore not hand over the presidential sash to his successor as is the democratic tradition, which has not happened since 1985 and the end of the military regime.
Up to 300,000 people are expected for this day to combine the pomp, with ceremonies regulated to the millimeter to which 17 heads of state must attend, and a popular festival with concerts.
At 77, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva must be proclaimed president 12 years after leaving power after two terms (2003-2010).
Queues of hundreds of meters
Under the blazing sun of this early southern summer, thousands of Brazilians, often dressed in the emblematic red of Lula's Workers' Party (PT), had to wait in queues of hundreds of meters because of the controls security, noted an AFP journalist.
The president's supporters await the inauguration ceremony in "Tres Poderes" square in front of the Planalto palace in Brasilia, January 1, 2023. EVARISTO SA / AFP
Firefighters were spraying water to relieve the crowd, sheltering from the dodger with umbrellas.
Firefighters spray water to provide relief to supporters awaiting the ceremony.
SERGIO LIMA / AFP
A supporter forms Lula's "L" as she wins the presidential palace.
DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP
“
Olé, olé, olà, Lula, Lula
”, and “
A esplanada e nossa!
“(the esplanade is ours) shouted a joyful crowd, in reference to the Esplanade of the ministries, in the heart of Brasilia, where Lula will deliver his first speech as president in the afternoon.
"
It's a historic moment and it would have been impossible for me not to be there
," Zenia Maria Soares Pinto, a retired teacher, told AFP.
She traveled 30 hours by bus from her southern state of Santa Catarina to reach Brasilia and her “
emotion is boundless
”.
Followers of the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda arrive at the Esplanada dos Ministerios to attend his investiture ceremony in Brasilia DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP
A supporter of President Lula applauds and dances as he arrives at the Esplanada dos Ministerios.
DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP
Indigenous supporters sing and dance as they arrive on the Esplanada dos Ministerios.
DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP
8000 police officers
Reclusive and almost silent since his October defeat, Bolsonaro, who loses his presidential immunity, left Brazil for Florida on Friday.
While his most radical followers want to prevent Lula's accession to power and are still camped outside barracks in the country, demanding military intervention, security has been tightened.
All the police forces of the district of Brasilia, some 8,000 agents, are mobilized, as well as a thousand federal police officers.
The number of people who can attend Lula's speech in front of Planalto Palace has been limited to 30,000.
Patrols are taking place at Brasilia airport near which an explosive device was discovered a week ago in a tanker truck, placed by a Bolsonarist who wanted to "
create chaos
" in Brazil.
Read alsoIn Brazil in mourning, the inauguration under tension of President Lula
The ceremonies were to begin at 2:20 p.m. (5:20 p.m. GMT) with the arrival at the cathedral of Lula and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin.
Lula was then to ride to Congress in the traditional Rolls Royce convertible, despite concerns about his safety.
He will be officially sworn in as president at 3 p.m. (6 p.m. GMT) after taking the oath to uphold the Constitution before Congress.
A minute of silence should be observed in Congress in tribute to Brazilian football legend Pelé, who died of cancer on Thursday, according to Veja magazine.
Then Lula will head to the Planalto Presidential Palace, an architectural jewel of Oscar Niemeyer, to receive the famous presidential scarf, set with gold and diamonds.
The future first lady, Rosangela da Silva, known as "
Janja
", was the great organizer of the festive aspect of the day, with numerous concerts and an eclectic program, with the drag-queen Pabllo Vittar or the living legend of samba. Martinho da Vila.
As for Lula, who has only completed his government of 37 ministers in recent days, he will have to tackle a "
Herculean task
" on Monday , according to his vice-president: the transition team has drawn up a state of very dark places in Brazil after four years of bolsonarism.