Macron voices support for Brazil’s Lula after protesters storm government buildings

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday expressed support for his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after hundreds of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings.

The protesters stormed the National Congress building while shouting slogans and demanding intervention by the army. They broke through a police barrier and entered the Congress building.

Bolsonaro supporters also managed to invade and ransack the Planalto Palace, or President's office, and the Supreme Federal Court, according to Brazil news portal G1.

In a Twitter post, Macron called to respect "the will of the Brazilian people and the democratic institutions" and said that Lula “can count on France's unwavering support."

The French Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on Sunday condemning the storming of the government buildings in Brazil.

"France expresses its support for the democratically elect President Lula and his government," the statement added.

Lula was sworn in for a third term as Brazil's president in the capital Brasilia on Jan. 1.

On Oct. 30, 2022, he beat far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a tight race, garnering 50.9% of the vote compared with Bolsonaro’s 49.1%, according to Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court.