The National Congress swears in Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Geraldo Alckmin as president and vice president. | Photo: Screenshot​

Brasilia, January 1 (RHC)-- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in this Sunday for a third, non-consecutive, term as head of the Brazilian Presidency, after winning the elections of last October 30 against the outgoing president, Jair Bolsonaro, who left the country on December 30 for the United States.

At 3 p.m. local time (17H05 UTC) Lula was sworn in as Brazil's new president for a third term following those of 2003-2007 and 2007-2011.  The president of the Senate and Congress, Rodrigo Pacheco, declared him shortly after as president in full exercise of his functions.

The Praça dos Três Poderes, where the change of office took place, reached the maximum capacity for the ceremony around midday this Sunday, according to information from the Federal District Military Police (PMDF). The limit for the event was 30,000 people.  For security reasons, the public will no longer be able to enter the site.

Local political personalities and delegations from 120 countries have also been arriving at the site.  Among the former are former President José Sarney, former President Dilma Rousseff and the Minister of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes.

The solemn session of the National Congress that swears in Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Geraldo Alckmin as president and vice-president was presided over by the president of the Senate and Congress, Rodrigo Pacheco. 

He opened the session by paying a minute of silence for the recent deaths of the King of Soccer, Pelé, and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.  

After being sworn in, Lula delivered his first speech as president in office.