Brazil is experiencing its own 'honeymoon Lula'

In the same week, the two most famous Brazilians in the world were in the spotlight both in Brazil and abroad: Lula and Pelé.

Pelé's death served not only to make Brazilians rediscover the works of art in football that they always considered the best player in the world, but also to reconcile with him. His personal behaviors, which had generated so much antipathy, were set aside, leaving only the great emotions and achievements that Pelé brought to Brazil, including the three World Cup titles, which only Pelé possesses.

But while Pelé is universally admired, Lula is not. He won the elections by a small margin, but Bolsonaro himself made it easier for Lula to regain his dominant voice in Brazil. The former president has practically disappeared from the political scene, and when he has spoken, he has given no guidance that could transform him into a leader of the opposition to the new government.

And finally, he left Brazil for Miami on the presidential plane without even asking for permission, arriving in the United States while still legally president. His vice-president, General Hamilton Mourão, used the last media broadcast to make a misleading statement. He said that the president left without even speaking to him, trying to distance himself from Bolsonaro. But, as he is a senator and will have a political career ahead of him, he said he would not hand over the presidential sash to Lula, trying to project himself as the leader of the opposition.

All of this paled in comparison to the spectacular ceremonies that Lula held along the Esplanade of Ministries. It began with his parade in an open car, the presidential Mercedes Benz – without a protective vest, as Lula himself had decided. He received full presidential honors from the various branches of the Armed Forces, being applauded constantly by the crowd that filled the entire route past all the ministries until Lula's arrival at the Planalto Palace.

There, Lula starred in the most emblematic moment of the entire day: he climbed the ramp of the Planalto Palace hand in hand with a Black child (a recyclable materials collector) – who placed the presidential sash on him – and the most well-known Indigenous leader in Brazil, Raoni, a physically disabled person, seeking to unite all expressions of the discriminated and excluded in Brazil. His wife, Janja, carried their dog, named Resistência (Resistance), because that's where the 580 days that Lula was imprisoned were spent, along with all of us who were at the Vigil, in support of Lula.

From the balcony of the Planalto Palace, Lula delivered his most important speech. He reviewed his government's achievements, recalling all the accomplishments since his initial speech 20 years earlier, when he said there would be a revolution if all Brazilians ate three meals a day. 

Immediately, without ever mentioning Bolsonaro's name, he spoke of the crimes that, between the pandemic and the disastrous policies of that government, were committed against the people and that those responsible will have to pay. The people, who always chanted "Lula, warrior of the Brazilian people," began to chant even louder: "No amnesty, no amnesty, no amnesty," expressing their support for the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro and his supporters. 

On the positive side, Lula vehemently reaffirmed "democracy always" and, when recounting the suffering of the abandoned on the streets, he was moved to tears twice, due to his empathy for the destitute. (Delfim Neto, the Finance Minister during the dictatorship, confessed that Lula is the only Brazilian politician who can speak about hunger, because he is the only one who has suffered from it).

Lula reaffirmed that he will not be vengeful, but that he will never forget what they made him go through. (In a letter from prison, when they proposed a deal, he said he would "never trade his freedom for his dignity").

Finally, he proposed what he intends to do in Brazil in the coming years, recovering its economy, with income distribution and jobs. He concluded with a strong call for Brazil to once again become a great nation, governed by all, amidst general applause from the crowd.

Many hours after the musical performance, Lula returned with Janja to thank everyone—the artists, his wife, whom he kissed. He left, while the show continued until the middle of the night.

To begin his presidency, Lula signed several decrees. Among them was one limiting the sale and use of weapons. Another ended the secrecy surrounding a series of measures taken by Bolsonaro, who sought to protect himself and his sons from corruption charges. He signed a decree prohibiting the privatization of companies, among other measures. The immediate objective was to resume economic growth, develop social policies as the cornerstone of his government, and generate jobs. He also took measures to protect the Amazon and the environment. The most important aspect was the recognition of women's rights, expressed in the creation of the Ministry of Women, along with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, headed by the most important indigenous leader. The set of 37 ministries (including, among others, 11 women) covers all the areas of activity that Lula intends to develop over the next four years. Women will lead the two most important public banks, Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal, in addition to other positions.

On his first day at work, Lula met with 19 leaders – including his close friend Alberto Fernández – which occupied the entire day. The following day, Lula attended Pelé's funeral in Santos to pay the respects that all Brazilians paid.

Intense, emotional days for Brazilians. Before Lula meets with the presidents of the US, China, and Argentina – he will be at the CELAC meeting on January 24th.

Brazilians are enjoying a honeymoon period with the new president, celebrating once again having a president who will represent them all with dignity, addressing their problems and restoring good relations with the world. A kind of 'honeymoon Lula,' which Lula hopes will continue throughout the four years of his third term.