Status: 01/01/2023 06:28 am
The hope for a new era after four years of Bolsonaro is high – also abroad. But it won’t be easy for Brazil’s new president, Lula. He inherits a divided country and a troubled family.
By Anne Herrberg, ARD Studio South America
“For the defense of democracy,” says Simone Caoxeiro, packing a red T-shirt with Lula’s image into her red suitcase, along with a raincoat and flags of the left-wing PSOL party and the teachers’ union to which she belongs. The next morning we left Nova Iguaçu, a city close to Rio de Janeiro, heading for the capital Brasília. It’s almost 20 hours by bus, but that doesn’t discourage Simone. She wants to be there when Luís Inácio Lula da Silva is placed in the presidential sash on New Year’s Day.
SWR Logo Anne Herrberg ARD Studio Rio de Janeiro
“All Reasons to Celebrate”
300,000 supporters of the left-wing PT (Workers’ Party) are expected in Brasília, in addition to concerts by renowned artists, food stalls and a large folkloric party. Simone’s husband, Ulysses Peixoto, single-handedly organized three buses to Brasilia, all three full. “We want to go there, we want to celebrate, because after these four years we have every reason to do so”, says Ulisses.
Lula da Silva sworn in as Brazil’s new president
Xenia Böttcher, ARD Rio de Janeiro, tagesschau24 9:00 am, January 1, 2023
Relief – she felt it when Lula was chosen, says Simone. Both are politically active and represent leftist ideas. The strong woman with the long black curls says they have repeatedly received threats for their commitment over the past few years. On election day, they worked as poll workers and were threatened at gunpoint by militias. “But we defeated the Bolsonaro government. A government that was bad, that spread violence and hatred, that made alliances with militias, destroyed the state and proved that there is an extreme right in Brazil.”
Bolsonaro supporters do not recognize election results
A right that has repeatedly cast doubt on the electoral system in recent months and continues to speak of fraud, even if there is no evidence of it.
For weeks now, supporters of outgoing president Jair Bolsonaro have been camping in front of military installations and demanding the intervention of the Armed Forces – including in front of the imposing Palácio Duque de Caxias, the eastern military command of Rio de Janeiro. There is now something of a tent city, well equipped with chemical toilets, solid tarps and a communal kitchen. About 300 Bolsonaro supporters are waiting there, dressed in green and yellow, the national colors. They carry signs with inscriptions such as “SOS Armed Forces” or “National Intervention Now”.
“It is a war to defend the cause of God”, exclaims Sister Terezinha of the Missionaries of Salvation. “No to abortion, yes to freedom! Defeat communism and the devil, they must go to hell!” Sister Terezinha wears a robe and holds the rosary towards the camera.
Lula’s opponents speak of a “coup against democracy”
The national media was silent about the protests, complains Samuel Rezende, reserve lieutenant and digital influencer. He wears a black Bolsonaro T-shirt and broadcasts the interview to ARD live on Instagram: “What is happening here in Brazil is an attempted coup against our democracy”, says Rezende. “That’s why people are here in the streets, demonstrating in an orderly and peaceful way, because they believe in democracy.” He is convinced that all governments in Brazil, except Bolsonaro’s, are corrupt and stealing from the country – especially that of Lula da Silva, who was never allowed to run.
Indeed, massive corruption and enrichment took place in Lula’s previous government alliance, for which he never took political responsibility. Lula was also sentenced to 12 years in prison, the sentences against him were annulled by the STF in 2021. But the scandals have damaged his image as a politician and millions of Brazilians deny his legitimacy. “My flag will never be red”, they sing in front of the Duque de Caxias Palace.
“So what Lula da Silva has to do now is overcome this division”, Xenia Böttcher, ARD Rio de Janeiro
tagesschau24 17h, 1.1.2023
The discovery of the bomb causes emotion
“It’s very worrying, even if it’s a small group,” says security expert Juliano Cortinhas of the National University of Brasilia. “By allowing the protests to continue, the military indirectly shows its consent – these people are committing criminal acts, because they are propagating the dissolution of the democratic system.”
The discovery of a bomb during the days of Christmas caused a commotion. Brazilian police arrested a man who allegedly tried to detonate an explosive device in Brasilia. The prisoner is a radical supporter of Bolsonaro. Police say he planned to cause chaos at Lula’s inauguration. Samuel Rezende believes that they were “criminals paid by the system” who should defame the pro-Bolsonaro movement.
Divided country, tight coffers
Although Lula swore the union of all Brazilians shortly after his election victory in late October, the country he will govern in the future remains deeply divided. Bolsonaro will not deliver the presidential sash to Lula on Sunday. He has already left the country for Florida. Since Lula’s victory, Bolsonaro has avoided the public and has not left the palace for weeks. He also hasn’t recognized Lula’s victory so far.
It will be difficult for Lula, says political scientist Maurício Santoro of the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Unlike when he took office in 2003, Lula now has neither a boom in commodity exports nor an expanding Chinese economy. “Today we have a polarized country with a well-organized far right both on the streets and online. And we live in a world that is still suffering from the consequences of the pandemic, plus the war in Ukraine and its impact on inflation, food and oil prices.” .
High hopes from all sides
The challenges are complex: the international community expects Lula to stop deforestation in the Amazon and assume a leadership role in the fight against climate change – the country’s people demand quick solutions from Lula in the face of rising poverty, hunger and inequality . Lula inherits a struggling family and has to govern with a congress in which right-wing and conservative forces have a majority.
Lula will have to make concessions and forge alliances. He has already negotiated with Congress to suspend the debt brake to fulfill his campaign promises to increase social programs. Financial markets reacted nervously to Lula’s new donation pants and prices dropped.
Cabinet to please allies
Even assembling his cabinet was like a complicated jigsaw puzzle, and Lula founded 16 new ministries. “We are trying to form a government that represents as much as possible the political forces that campaigned with us,” said Lula. Key positions such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs or the Ministry of Social Affairs went to close allies.
The appointment of Anielle Franco, sister of Rio de Janeiro councilor Marielle Franco, killed by paramilitaries in 2018, caused jubilation in the progressive camp. She becomes Minister of Equality between Ethnicities and for the first time there is a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples. Lula’s vice-president, the conservative Geraldo Alckmin, will assume the portfolio of industry and commerce.
fight against time
Lula is someone who knows how to make alliances and face adversity, says supporter Ulysses Peixoto. He is worried about something else: “Lula’s biggest problem will be time.” People wanted to see quick changes. “But the Bolsonaro government has destroyed so much – in social policy, education, health, in the Amazon. It will take years to rebuild, it won’t happen quickly.”
Then the caravan starts moving. He also fears there could be conflicts with Bolsonaro supporters when he takes office – but you shouldn’t be intimidated, explains Ulisses. However, pre-inauguration security precautions were again increased.