Lula Returns to Power as Brazil Turns the Page on Bolsonaro

In his inaugural address at the National Congress, Lula vowed to rebuild what he described as the "terrible ruins" left behind by his predecessor. Without naming Bolsonaro directly, the 77-year-old leader characterized his third term as a mandate for national renewal, focusing on restoring the institutional rights and sovereignty he claimed had been systematically dismantled over the past four years. "Democracy was the big winner in this election," Lula declared, framing the transition as a victory for the Brazilian people.

The festive atmosphere in the capital was tempered by a heavy security presence, a direct response to the lingering unrest among Bolsonaro’s base. Supporters of the outgoing president remain stationed outside military barracks nationwide, continuing to demand an intervention to prevent the new government from taking office. This deep political fracture was underscored by the absence of the traditional presidential sash ceremony, a symbolic break in protocol that highlights the tension defining the country’s current political climate. As Bolsonaro faces investigations into his conduct during his tenure, the nation now looks toward the challenging task of reconciliation under a leader who previously held office from 2003 to 2010.