Lula inaugurated as Brazil’s new president

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in on New Year’s Day as the new president of Brazil, taking leadership of a country ravaged by economic crisis, the return of hunger, the rise of political violence, and deep divisions after four tumultuous years that were a litmus test for Brazilian democratic institutions.

Lula sought to immediately establish differences between him and Mr. Bolsonaro. “If we are here today, it is because of the political conscience of the Brazilian society and the democratic front we formed during this historic campaign,” he said. 

“Democracy was the biggest winner in this election, overcoming the biggest mobilization of public and private funds [for electoral gains] ever seen, the most violent threats to people’s freedoms, and the most abject campaign of hate and lies to manipulate and compel the electorate.”

The formal transfer of power ended weeks of tension as Jair Bolsonaro, the vanquished president, failed to publicly acknowledge the electoral results and allowed his supporters to escalate putschist rhetoric that led to acts of vandalism and domestic terrorism in an attempt to prevent a peaceful transition. 

Threats of violence forced police to reassess security plans. But, much unlike the most pessimistic expectations, Lula’s return to power happened without hiccups and amid a festive atmosphere. Over 300,000 people flocked to Brasília’s Esplanade of Ministries — mostly dressed in the red of Lula’s Workers’ Party — to celebrate his latest triumph.

Making it official

The clock flashed 3:04 pm when, with his hand on a copy of the Constitution, Lula recited the 27-word oath administered...