Lula da Silva swears in as Brazilian President for a third term
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Brasilia: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sworn in as the new President of Brazil on Sunday for a third term at the post. Taking office, he promised to fight for the poor and the environment along with rebuilding the country after his predecessor, the far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, carried out a divisive regime, Agence France-Presse reported.
The veteran leader was in the top post from 2003 to 2010 and made a comeback this time after being jailed less than five years ago for alleged corruption charges.
Lula said that the new government would work to uproot the economic decline, funding cuts in health, education and science, as well as the previous regime’s “stupidity” (AFP quotes) of exploiting natural resources for private gain.
He also promised to work for the life of the poor, racial and gender equality and to achieve zero deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. The forest was heavily depleted under the previous Bolsonaro regime for vested interests, it is alleged.
“We will respond to hate with love, to lies with the truth, to terrorism and violence with the law,” AFP quoted the leader.
For the swearing ceremony, security was tight, with around 8000 troops deployed. This was after a Bolsonaro supporter was caught planting a tanker truck rigged with explosives at the capital’s airport. According to reports, he aimed to “sow chaos” in the country, AFP writes. One more person was arrested in the capital after he tried to enter the restricted area where the ceremony was planned with a knife and fireworks.
Tens of thousands attended the ceremony chanting their support for Lula.
In the meantime, markers are tensely watching the nation since they are wondering how Lula will fund his social spending since Brazil has overstretched government finances. Also, Lula will have to face a Congress which is dominated by Bolsonaro’s conservative allies.
Far-right fronts have been protesting outside army bases since Lula’s victory, a narrow one in October, demanding the military to intervene and stop him from taking power.