On January 1, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was inaugurated as Brazil’s new president in a ceremony marked by shows of political unity and social consciousness, beginning his third term in office after previously completing two between 2002 and 2010.

Meanwhile, Jair Bolsonaro became the first sitting president since the last military dictator of Brazil not to attend the inauguration of his successor, preferring instead to leave the country for self-imposed exile in Florida. Following a two-month transition period, Lula now takes the helm of a polarized nation whose conservative congress can pose a dangerous challenge to his social and economic plans.

Having already built a wide coalition, spreading a message of hope and unity, the veteran politician wishes not only to undo the damage done by Bolsonaro’s reactionary policies, but also to bring about a new period of growth and cooperation in Brazil and Latin America as a whole.