Unlike 2024, no Supreme Minister was present at the government festivities for Independence Day; public received caps with the message ‘Brazil Sovereign’, the motto of the celebration
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) participated on Sunday morning (7) of the September 7 parade, at the Ministries Esplanade, in Brasilia. The event took place amid the political climate marked by the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the Supreme Court (STF), accused of participating in an attempted coup, and for discussions in Congress on an amnesty project involved in the acts of January 8, 2023. Lula paraded in open car next to the first lady, Janja da Silva, and was accompanied by ministers, by vice-president Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB).
Senate President David Alcolumbre (Union-AP) did not attend. Unlike 2024, no STF minister was present at the authorities’ stage. Part of the public present in the stands saved shouts of “without amnesty”, in reference to the proposal in Congress that can benefit Bolsonaro, currently in house arrest, as well as military and civilians accused of participation in the invasion of the headquarters of the three powers.
The government has defined as the motto of the celebration the motto “Brazil sovereign”, articulated in three axes: defense of national sovereignty, preparation of COP30 – which will be held in November in Belém – and the deliveries of the new PAC. The slogan follows the presidency’s communication strategy, which since August has been reinforcing the idea that management is “on the side of the Brazilian people”.
During the event, caps were distributed with the theme and a song prepared by the Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes. The nationalist speech also served as a response to the 50% surcharge imposed by US President Donald Trump on Brazilian products. In the Sabbath pronouncement (6), Lula sent a message to the American leader and indirectly criticized the predecessor, his family and allies, calling them “traitors of the homeland.”
Among the authorities were ministers from different areas, such as Ricardo Lewandowski (Justice), Rui Costa (Civil House), Marina Silva (Environment), Simone Tebet (Planning), José Múcio (Defense), Celso Sabino (Tourism), André Fufuca (sports), Anielle Franco (racial equality) and Gleisi Hoffmann (institutional relations).
President Lula alongside minister and parliamentarians at the celebration of 7 and September (Ton Molina/Fotoarena/Estadão Content)
Throughout the week, the Esplanade was already being prepared for the act, replacing previous lanes with the 7 September motto. At the same time, Bolsonaro supporters organized demonstrations in various capitals of the country, including Brasilia. This year’s parade has consolidated the government’s bet to resignify patriotism, a flag that, according to the left, has been appropriated by pockets in recent years, now focusing on “sovereignty, democracy and development.”
Posted by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
