The
inaugurationAn inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the president of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
of the
President of BrazilThe President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The presidential system was established in 1889, upon the proclamation of the republic in a military coup d'etât against the Emperor Pedro II. Since then, Brazil had six constitutions, two...
is composed of several ceremonies that happen in the same day.
Through
democraticDemocracy is a system of government in which either the actual governing is carried out by the people governed , or the power to do so is granted by them...
electionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive and...
s or
coupsA coup d'état , or coup for short, is the sudden unconstitutional deposition of a legitimate government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another, either civil or military...
, resignations and deaths, presidential inaugurations have been important events in
Brazilian historyThe History of Brazil begins with the arrival of the first indigenous peoples, over 8,000 years ago by crossing the Bering land bridge into Alaska and then entering the rest of North and Central America....
. As military
propagandaPropaganda is communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience...
,
oligarchyAn Oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royal, wealth, intellectual, family, military, or religious hegemony. The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" and "rule"...
party or popular party, the ceremonies had different symbologies at different times.
The inauguration parade starts at the
National CathedralThe Cathedral of Brasília in the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, is an expression of the architect Oscar Niemeyer. This concrete-framed hyperboloid structure, seems with its glass roof to be reaching up, open, to heaven...
, located at the beginning of
Ministries EsplanadeThe Monumental Axis is a central avenue in Brasília's city design.The avenue begins on the National Congress of Brazil building and is considered part of the DF-002 road. Its first section is known as "Ministries Esplanade" , as it is surrounded by ministries buildings...
.
The
inaugurationAn inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the president of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
of the
President of BrazilThe President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The presidential system was established in 1889, upon the proclamation of the republic in a military coup d'etât against the Emperor Pedro II. Since then, Brazil had six constitutions, two...
is composed of several ceremonies that happen in the same day.
Through
democraticDemocracy is a system of government in which either the actual governing is carried out by the people governed , or the power to do so is granted by them...
electionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive and...
s or
coupsA coup d'état , or coup for short, is the sudden unconstitutional deposition of a legitimate government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another, either civil or military...
, resignations and deaths, presidential inaugurations have been important events in
Brazilian historyThe History of Brazil begins with the arrival of the first indigenous peoples, over 8,000 years ago by crossing the Bering land bridge into Alaska and then entering the rest of North and Central America....
. As military
propagandaPropaganda is communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience...
,
oligarchyAn Oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royal, wealth, intellectual, family, military, or religious hegemony. The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" and "rule"...
party or popular party, the ceremonies had different symbologies at different times.
The ceremonies
Parade
The inauguration parade starts at the
National CathedralThe Cathedral of Brasília in the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, is an expression of the architect Oscar Niemeyer. This concrete-framed hyperboloid structure, seems with its glass roof to be reaching up, open, to heaven...
, located at the beginning of
Ministries EsplanadeThe Monumental Axis is a central avenue in Brasília's city design.The avenue begins on the National Congress of Brazil building and is considered part of the DF-002 road. Its first section is known as "Ministries Esplanade" , as it is surrounded by ministries buildings...
. After attending a
Solemn MassSolemn Mass , sometimes also referred to as Solemn High Mass or simply High Mass, is, when used not merely as a description, the full ceremonial form of the Tridentine Mass, celebrated by a priest with a deacon and a subdeacon, requiring most of the parts of the Mass to be sung, and the use of...
at the National Cathedral, the President-elect and Vice-President-elect take the
ceremonial state cars-Current model:The current Presidential State Car is a 2008 modified, armored version of the Ford Fusion built on a Ford CD3 platform. The vehicle was first used on June 17, 2008 in substitution for the previous vehicle a 2004 Chevrolet Omega...
and proceed in parade to the
National CongressBrazil's bicameral National Congress consists of Senate of Brazil and the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil ....
, while escorted by the Independence Dragoons.
Oaths of office
Arriving at the National Congress, they are greeted by the President of the
SenateThe Federal Senate of Brazil is the upper house of the National Congress of Brazil. Created by the first Constitution of the Brazilian Empire in 1824, it was inspired in United Kingdom's House of Lords, but with the Proclamation of the Republic in 1889 it became closer to the United States...
(the
upper houseAn upper house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house.- Possible specific characteristics :An upper house is usually distinct from the lower house in at least one of the following respects:...
) and the President of the
Chamber of DeputiesThe Chamber of Deputies of Brazil is a federal legislative body and the lower house of the National Congress of Brazil. As of 2006, the chamber comprises 513 deputies, who are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms...
(the
lower houseA lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.Despite its theoretical position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide the lower house has come to wield more power...
). Inside the National Congress, they take the oath of office and sign the
constitutional commitmentBecause of its volatile political history, Brazil has had a number of constitutions. The most recent was ratified on October 5 1988.-Imperial Constitution :...
. At that time, they become
PresidentThe President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The presidential system was established in 1889, upon the proclamation of the republic in a military coup d'etât against the Emperor Pedro II. Since then, Brazil had six constitutions, two...
and
Vice-PresidentThe Vice-President of Brazil is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Government of Brazil after the President...
of the Republic. The
National AnthemThe melody of the Brazilian national anthem was composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1822 and had been given at least two sets of lyrics before a decree of 1922 gave it the definitive lyrics, by Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada, after several changes were made to his proposal, written in 1909...
is played and the inaugural address is given, followed by a speech by the President of the Senate.
Exiting the National Congress, the National Anthem is once again played, followed by a
21-gun saluteGun salutes are the firing of cannons or arms as a honour.The custom originates in naval tradition, where a warship would fire its cannons harmlessly out to sea, until all ammunition was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent.As naval customs evolved, 21 volleys...
by the
Cayenne BatteryThe Cayenne Battery of the Brazilian Army is one of three military units that comprise the Brazilian president's honor guard, the others being the 1st Guards Cavalry Regiment - "Independence Dragoons" and the Presidential Guard Battalion ."Cayenne Battery" was how the Brazilian colonial troops,...
. As the President is the
Commander-in-chiefA commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the...
of the Armed Forces, he is received by the
Presidential Guard BattalionThe Presidential Guard Battalion is a unit of the Brazilian Army and honor guard to the President of Brazil. Two other units, the 1st Guards Cavalry Regiment and the Cayenne Battery, are also part of the presidential honor guard.This troop had its origins in the Emperor’s Battalion, organized in...
of the
ArmyThe Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , Platine War , Uruguayan War and the War of the...
, and by
NavyThe Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America, with a 32,800-ton aircraft carrier, the NAe São Paulo , British-built frigates, locally-built corvettes, coastal diesel-electric submarines and many...
and
Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
troops
presenting armsPresent arms is a two part command used by many militaries in the world as a sign of respect. Within the United States Military, it is executed in the following procedures:...
.
After reviewing the troops, the President and the Vice-President take the ceremonial state cars to the
Planalto PalaceThe Palácio do Planalto is the official workplace of the President of Brazil. It is located at the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasília, Brazil. As the seat of government, the term Planalto is often used as a metonym for the executive branch of the government.The main working office of the President...
.
Planalto Palace
At the
Planalto PalaceThe Palácio do Planalto is the official workplace of the President of Brazil. It is located at the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasília, Brazil. As the seat of government, the term Planalto is often used as a metonym for the executive branch of the government.The main working office of the President...
, they are greeted by the former President upon the entrance ramp (only used in state ceremonies). Indoor or on the platform, the former President hands over the
presidential sashA presidential sash is a cloth sash worn by presidents of many nations in the world. Such sashes are worn by presidents in Africa, Asia, Europe, and most notably, in Latin America....
to the new President. The National Anthem is played for the third time.
They proceed to the Parlatorium, where the former President and the new President deliver a public address. The President then escorts the former President to the main entrance, where he goes down the ramp to an official car that takes him home or to the airport.
First duties
The first duty of the new President is to appoint the Minister of Justice. After the Minister of Justice takes oath, the President proceeds to appoint the remainder of the
CabinetThe Cabinet of Brazil is composed of the Ministers of State and senior advisors of the executive branch of the federal government of Brazil. Cabinet officers are appointed and dismissed by the President...
members.
The President then greets the
Heads of StateHead of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state...
and
Heads of GovernmentHead of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc...
present, as well as the
Heads of missionIn diplomatic usage, Head of Mission or Chief of Mission from the French "Chef de mission" is the generic term used to refer to the head of a diplomatic representation, such as an Ambassador, High Commissioner, Nuncio, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Representative, and sometimes to a...
and other foreign envoys.
Reception
At the night of the inauguration, the President holds a formal reception and
ballA ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' is derived from the Latin word "ballare", meaning 'to dance'; the term also derived into "bailar", which is the Spanish and Portuguese word for dance . In Catalan it is the same word, 'ball', for the dance event.Attendees wear evening attire, which is...
at the
Alvorada PalaceThe Palácio da Alvorada is the official residence of the President of Brazil. The palace was designed, along with the rest of the city of Brasília, by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1958...
.
Inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President
Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva , known popularly as Lula, is the thirty-fifth and current President of Brazil.A founding member of the Workers' Party , he ran for President three times unsuccessfully, first in the 1989 election. Lula achieved victory in 2002, and was inaugurated as President on 1...
had the most popular presidential inauguration in history. Citizens from all corners of Brazil went to the national capital for the inauguration ceremony. There were 3 innovations:
- Concert
A concert is a live performance, usually of music, before an audience. The music may be performed by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band. Informal names for a concert include "show" and "gig"...
s before the ceremony for those who arrived early. One main stage at Square of the Three PowersPraça dos Três Poderes is a plaza in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. The name is derived from the presence of the three governmental powers around the plaza: the Executive, represented by the Palácio do Planalto ; the Legislative represented by the Congresso Nacional ; and the Judiciary,...
and others around the Ministries Esplanade.
- Projection screen
A projection screen is an installation consisting of a surface and a support structure used for displaying a projected image for the view of an audience. Projection screens may be permanently installed as in a movie theater, painted on the wall , semi-permanent or mobile, as in a conference room or...
s were placed around the Ministries Esplanade and secondary rooms of National Congress and Planalto Palace, allowing everyone to follow the televised ceremony.
- A second presidential parade was held after the ceremony.
Inauguration Day
From 1889 to 1930, the inauguration ceremony was held on November 15. It was later changed to January 31, and then to March 15.
The
Constitution of 1988Because of its volatile political history, Brazil has had a number of constitutions. The most recent was ratified on October 5 1988.-Imperial Constitution :...
established January 1 as the Inauguration Day.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the Portuguese colonial era, and...
was the Brazilian capital until the construction of
BrasíliaBrasília is the capital of Brazil. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the fourth largest city in Brazil, ahead of Belo Horizonte...
in 1958.
The ceremonies were different but had a similar format. It started at Tiradentes Palace (former National Congress) where the President took the oath of office. He then proceeded in parade to the
Catete PalaceThe Catete Palace is an urban mansion in Rio de Janeiro's Flamengo neighborhood. The property stretches from Rua do Catete to Praia do Flamengo. From 1894 to 1960, it was Brazil's presidential palace and the site of Getulio Vargas' suicide. It now houses the Museu da República and a theatre...
in the ceremonial state car. After wearing the presidential sash, the President appeared on the balcony. The appointments, greetings and reception were held at the Catete Palace.