(Lisbon) The dozen far-right deputies represented in the Portuguese Parliament disrupted the speech given there on Tuesday by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, at the end of a state visit marking the relaunch of relations between the South American giant and its former colonial power.
“When you do politics, you’re used to it,” reacted the icon of the Brazilian left while describing as “a ridiculous scene” the gesture of the deputies of the Chega party (“Enough” in Portuguese) who brandished in his direction of posters proclaiming “Enough corruption”.
Returning to power in January after defeating his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, Lula had previously spent more than a year in prison after a corruption conviction that was later overturned by his country’s courts.
“Democracy in Brazil has recently experienced moments of serious threat. […] The news that I bring to you is that the Brazilian democratic forces have demonstrated their solidity and resilience,” the 77-year-old head of state, who previously governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010, said in his speech. .
Lula was invited to speak in the Portuguese Parliament on the 49th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, which ended 48 years of right-wing dictatorship in Portugal and 13 years of colonial wars in Africa.
To protest against the reception given to him by the Portuguese authorities, a few hundred supporters of the Chega party and Brazilian immigrants loyal to Jair Bolsonaro gathered near Parliament.
“Bandit”, “Lula, thief, your place is in prison”, they chanted while as many demonstrators in favor of Lula had been rounded up by the police in another adjacent street, a good distance away.
When Chega deputies heckled Lula’s speech, they were called to order by the Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament, Augusto Santos Silva, who urged them to stop “insulting” and “shaming in the name of Portugal.” “.
