MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lula jeered by far-right groups during Carnation Revolution speech

Lula chose Portugal and Spain for his first visit to Europe because of Brazil's historical ties with both countries and because they are the “gateway” to the EU.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was jeered at by a group of far-right lawmakers before the South American while delivering a speech at Lisbon's Parliament to commemorate the Carnation Revolution on his fifth and last day in Portugal.

Lula arrived at the São Bento Palace at the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Augusto Santos Silva. Outside the building, he was received by demonstrators of the vernacular ultra-right, referenced in the Chega (Enough, in Portuguese) party. “Bandit”, “Lula, thief, your place is in prison”, they chanted, while as many pro-Lula demonstrators were grouped by the police in another adjacent street and at a good distance. Lula's supporters were nearby, separated by a police fence.

Inside, the 12 Chega legislators (out of a total of 230) listened to the Brazilian leader banging their seats, booing, and holding signs accusing him of corruption. “You get used to that when you do politics,” Lula explained.

The ceremony was intended to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution that ended up overthrowing the dictatorial government and installing democracy in Portugal.

“Enough of insults, enough of shaming the institutions, enough of shaming the name of Portugal,” Santos Silva asked.

In his message, Lula called for peace in Ukraine and for better relations between Mercosur and the European Union. He also described the chants against him as an embarrassment.

Portugal was Lula's first stop of his European tour. He left for Spain later Tuesday. His presence was heavily criticized for not taking a harsher stance against Russia and for aligning with China for economic purposes.

”Democracy in Brazil has recently experienced moments of serious threat (...) The news I bring you is that the Brazilian democratic forces have demonstrated their solidity and resilience,“ the 77-year-old head of state, who already governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010, said in his speech.

Lula chose Portugal and Spain for his first visit to Europe because of Brazil's historical ties with both countries and because they are the ”gateway” to the EU.