“I waited four years to see Lula back to top God exists. The banner carried by a woman moved toward the Square of Ministries, setting a hopeful tone for a new political era in Brazil.” The people’s voices were visible, one banner near a crime scene read, “The people own.” Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva prepared to assume command and form his third government. The sun rose over Brasilia, the city buzzing with activity. More than 300,000 people gathered around the administrative and architectural heart of the capital, a monument of modernism designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the latter half of the 20th century.
“We want to see Lula,” the crowd shouted with energy, learning that the new president would move with First Lady Rosângela Silva, known as Janja. The plan included a 1.4 kilometer ride in an open-top Rolls-Royce, a ceremonial nod to Brazil’s republican traditions, first stopping at Congress and then proceeding to the presidential offices. Lula declined a bulletproof vest, despite security concerns tied to the inauguration after news of a failed terrorist attempt the previous week.
Sunday’s reports noted the arrest of a Bolsonarista with knives and explosives. The event caused concern but did not alter Lula’s decision to proceed without elaborate security displays. For Lula, the start of his third term was not to be marked by fear or insecurity.
Most memorable images showed Lula riding in the Rolls-Royce, flanked by guards in plain clothes. His beard was neatly trimmed, and the moment wasn’t about showmanship from the campaign days but about presenting himself as a statesman in a sharp blue suit. As the car moved forward, Lula raised his right hand in a V for victory and a bold initial for his last name. Janja, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and their spouses greeted the crowd with warmth and restraint.
A team in Brasilia! ❤️
Elineudo Meira pic
— Midia NINJA (@MidiaNINJA) January 1, 2023
secret fear
Helicopters circled the city while afternoon clouds hinted at an approaching shower. The inauguration festivities included numerous concerts and social gatherings, even as organizers wrestled with the weather and logistical challenges. Bolsonarismo persisted as a political undercurrent. On Saturday night, Vice President Hamilton Mourão, who led the 24-hour transition after the former president sought asylum in Florida, stated that a healthy democracy requires a peaceful transfer of power. He referred to the leadership tied to Bolsonaro as a source of disruption and warned that chaos would not be tolerated.
Unsurprisingly, the most ardent Bolsonaro supporters gathered near the Army headquarters to accuse Mourão of capitulation. They formed a minority yet remained vocal, pressing the military to intervene. In response, the Bolsonaro family continued to frame the events as a struggle for their political legacy. Dissent echoed across the crowd, while others saw the inauguration as a turning point for the country’s democratic institutions.