Heads of state and government such as Macron, Sunak, Trudeau, Boric and Maduro salute the president for his progressive agenda and focus on the climate issue and say they hope to strengthen partnerships with Brazil and regional integration. President of Brazil on Sunday (02 / 01). Among those who demonstrated were the Presidents of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, and several heads of state of South America.
The French leader congratulated Lula on his inauguration for a third term in a message written in Portuguese and another in French on Twitter. “Order and progress: Brazil honors its motto. Congratulations, dear president, my dear friend Lula, on your inauguration. We are together!” Macron wrote in a post that included a photo of their meeting in November 2021, when Lula was received by the head of state with honors in Paris.
On behalf of the French government, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, Olivier Becht, went to Brazil to attend the inauguration and handed Lula a message from the French President.
The UK Prime Minister also used Twitter to congratulate Lula. Sunak said the Brazilian is beginning a “third historic period” as president, and wished him “every success in leading” the country. He also expressed his hope for “strengthening economic, cultural and environmental relations” between Brazil and the United Kingdom.
The UK’s ambassador to Brazil, Stephanie El Qaq, tweeted that she had delivered a letter from King Charles III to Lula and shared excerpts from the document in Portuguese. In the message, the king congratulates Lula and highlights the “camaraderie” and says he wants to deepen the “strong partnership” between the two countries, specifically citing the climate issue.
“By mobilizing investment, science and technology, we can collaborate to catalyze sustainable development and address the great challenges of our climate, our nature and in relation to food security. I am encouraged to hear you stress the urgency of addressing the climate crisis during your victory speech and at COP27,” King wrote.
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, greeted Lula and suggested that they both work on the “progressive priorities” they share. “Let’s build a better future for Canadians and Brazilians. And let’s further strengthen the partnership between our two countries.”
The European Union expressed itself through its Twitter EU account in Brazil: “The European Union congratulates the new Brazilian government. We want to strengthen our strategic partnership based on common values: democracy, human rights and commitment to pluralism. We are ready for a new and important chapter of our cooperation.”
In contrast to Bolsonaro’s inauguration
At least 65 delegations of heads of state, heads of government and ministers attended Lula’s inauguration ceremony. There have been twenty heads of state, four heads of government, two deputy prime ministers, and eleven ministers in Brasília. Among them: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. from Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza; King of Spain, Philip VI; And many leaders from neighboring countries.
Speaking to German journalists, including the DW staff, Steinmeier said that a “new political era” had begun in Brazil and that it was “good to know that Brazil is back on the international scene”. His trip to Brazil marked a rapprochement between Germany and Brazil after four years of estrangement and crises during the Jair Bolsonaro government.
“We need Brazil, we need Brazilian political leadership, for the country to play its role. And not just in the economy, but in protecting the global climate as well. And I was happy to see that the president-elect wanted to play that role with Brazil. It’s good to be back in Brazil.” “It’s good to know that Brazil is back on the international stage,” Steinmeier said.
The presence of so many foreign officials on Sunday contrasts Bolsonaro’s inauguration in 2019, which featured only a dozen heads of state or government, with a list dominated by figures from countries with little political and economic weight for Brazil, but whose leaders were ideologically aligned with Brazil. The then president, like the Israeli Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hungarian governor Viktor Orban.
In the past, Bolsonaro’s removal from office had already symbolized the isolation the country would face in the next four years, marked by environmental crises and alienation from former partners, especially in Europe. Lula addressed Brazil’s isolation in his sermons this Sunday, stating that the country will once again play a leading role, especially on climate issues.
The President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez, attended the inauguration and tweeted a photo with Lula, accompanying the message: “Congratulations, President Lula! Latin America united and fought. The dream came true. I wish you success in this administration. The future will be one of deep brotherhood. With a more just, free and equal perspective.” , We will achieve true development for our peoples.”
Argentine Vice President Cristina Kirchner also spoke. “A new day dawns in South America. Power, Lola! Power, Brazil!”
Colombian leader Gustavo Petro, who traveled to Brazil, posted a photo of Lula’s speech in Congress with the message: “I hope that these political changes will lead to the path of irreversible integration in South America.”
Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who attended the opening ceremony, tweeted a photo of the meeting with the Brazilian president and wrote: “Hope, democracy, justice and dignity for our peoples. With Lula, we go together.”
Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso shared photos of his meeting with Lula on Sunday and wrote: “We salute President Lula. Strengthening relations with the Republic of Brazil, for the benefit of both countries, is a goal we share. Successes in your tenure, President.”
Evo Morales, President of Bolivia, also attended the inauguration and stated that Lula’s speech “reaffirms hopes for a new historic cycle of tolerance, inclusion, integration and solidarity in Brazil and in the great country”.
Rapprochement with Venezuela
When congratulating Lula, the President of Venezuela emphasized that the way was open for the Union of South American Nations.
“I congratulate with joy the inauguration of our comrade Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President of Brazil. A new wave of liberation is sweeping the great country, opening paths for geopolitical advancement of the projects of the South American Union. Maduro said on Twitter.
The Speaker of the Venezuelan Parliament, Jorge Rodriguez, attended Lula’s inauguration on behalf of the Maduro government. Last Friday, Bolsonaro’s government was surprised to cancel a decree banning Maduro and other Venezuelan officials from entering the country.
And Lula, who was a close friend of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and had similar ties to Maduro, had already declared that once he was sworn in, he would restore relations with Venezuela at all levels.
lf (DW, Efe, ots)
