Its symbolic value is strong: on March 4, the Brazilian Senate announced its reopening to the public. Long weeks will have been necessary to refurbish these places, covered with a midnight blue carpet and designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, ransacked on January 8 by far-right rioters favorable to Jair Bolsoanaro. What confirm the return to a semblance of normality in Brasilia.
The event coincides within a few days with the commemoration of the first two months in power of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, invested on 1er January. At the head of a shaken country, the left-wing president maintained an all-out agenda and benefited from a form of sacred union… but also aroused disappointments and initial criticism.
The Head of State first wanted to restore Brazil’s international image. The 77-year-old leader received German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in Brasilia. Lula also gave pledges to Washington and went to meet his American counterpart, Joe Biden, at the White House in February.
No “shock” of confidence
On the domestic scene, the former steelworker has put all his energy into rebuilding the social programs laid down by his predecessor. “As of today, the gigantic wheel of Brazil begins to turn! »he launched on February 14, during the relaunch of the social housing program “Ma Maison ma vie”. Objective: to build two million homes by 2026.
At the same time, the minimum wage was increased by 1.3%. Households benefiting from the famous “Bolsa Familia” (an allowance conditional on certain educational obligations) will now receive an additional 150 reais (27 euros) per child under 6 years old. At the end of February, the government also restored the National Council for Food Security, essential in the fight against hunger, abolished by Jair Bolsonaro.
Fight against racism, feminicides, firearms or in favor of vaccination… the current power wants to stand out in every way from the previous one. “It’s time for unity and reconstruction. This country was destroyed by fascist barbarians. Getting results will take time. But we will succeed: Lula is a father of victory! »insists Bohn Gass, deputy of the Workers’ Party and close to the president.
Despite the facade of enthusiasm, the first doubts have already emerged. Far from any unanimity, the Lula government has, according to polls, only 40% favorable opinion. The long-awaited “shock” of confidence has not taken place: gross domestic product fell by 0.2% in the last quarter of 2022. For this year, the outlook is gloomy, with 1.2% growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund.
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