Lula parades in an empty Brasília, raising concerns about Brazil’s deepening political and social divisions.
Brasília, Brazil,(EPICSTORIAN) – The 2024 Brazil’s Independence Day celebrations in the capital, Brasília, saw President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva parading through the streets in what many described as a largely empty ceremony.
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The event, which is celebrated September 7 every year, was meant to be in honour and commemoration of the 202nd anniversary of Brazil’s independence from Portugal, but took place under circumstances that have provoked questions from observers about the state of political dynamics and public sentiment in Brazil.
President Lula paraded through nearly empty streets during Independence Day
The absence of large crowds, which is traditionally a central feature of the day’s festivities, however, could have been caused by their dissatisfaction over a variety of political, economic, and social issues, including corruption scandal, associated with president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration.
A Brazilian citizen, Terra Brazillis, reported the scantly state of the country as president Lula, flanked by a few police officers, drove through the cold-silent, uneventful streets even on such a day as special as the Brazil’s Independence Day.
“Dear Elon musk, today is Brazil’s Independence Day. Lula is parading in an open car in the capital of Brazil, in an empty ceremony, without people. Only his ministers, advisors and family members are present,” Mr Brazillis wrote to Elon Musk on X.
Brazil’s Independence Day celebrations have been always been marked historical grand affairs, with thousands of citizens, and often tourists, lining the streets of Brasília, waving flags and spiritedly celebrating the nation’s sovereignty.
Sparse attendance at Brazil’s 2024 Independence Day raised public concerns.
But, this year, the atmosphere was notably different. The parade, typically a grand display of military and national pride, was reportedly limited to a small group of President Lula’s ministers, advisors, and family members, including close associates.
Prior to the national event, Lula banned Brazilians from using X , a social media platform formerly Known as Twitter, including using Virtual Private Network (VPN), to access it or its related services, an approach the citizens considered harsh and a totalitarian move to limit and censor free speech.
Political Division among Brazilians and Lula’s Broad Coalition
Supporters of the former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, Lula’s predecessor, and of Lula are deeply polarized, with president Lula having been accused of taking Brazil back to the same old political ideas; being too far-left to some; and to some ,adopting socialist policies.
However, many Brazilian still support Bolsonaro’s conservative economic and social agenda and see Lula as a return to failed policies.
Additionally, relying on forming a broad political coalition has been central to Lula’s third term in office, which has included consulting and involving various political groups in his administration and making deals with them.
Divided among themselves, while this may helps him maintain the smooth running of his governance, critics argue that it compromises his ability to deliver on progressive promises, as he must be willing to make concessions to demands of conservative and centrist political leaders.
The News Summaries:
- President Lula’s sparse Independence Day parade stirs questions about political support.
- Terra Brazillis reports Lula’s low-attendance parade in Brazil’s capital.
- Lula’s Independence Day parade in Brasília lacked typical public celebration.
- Bolsonaro’s supporters criticize Lula’s low turnout Independence Day parade.
