Brasília – Next Saturday (1st), approximately 20,000 people, including 30 international authorities, should attend the inauguration of the Brazilian president-elect, Dilma Rousseff. In order to make sure that everything will run smoothly, the last rehearsal (26th) was promoted by the Brazilian foreign ministry (Itamaraty) last Sunday (26th). According to the foreign ministry’s ambassador George Prata, the aim is to make "fine tunings" in order to prevent problems.
Traffic at the Esplanade of the Ministries was interrupted in order for the rehearsal to take place. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to start at 02:10 pm, in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília. Dilma will head towards the National Congress in the presidential Rolls-Royce.
The presidential car will be accompanied by motorcycle escorts and Federal Police agents. According to Prata, there have been rehearsals for two different arrivals at the National Congress, where the president-elect will pledge allegiance to the Constitution. If the weather is sunny, Dilma will enter the venue with the top down through the main ramp, whereas if it is raining, she will enter with the top up through the cloakroom.
From the Congress, Dilma will head to Palácio do Planalto (the presidential palace) to receive the presidential sash and make a speech. Approximately 1,300 Armed Forces personnel will provide security during the ceremony. After the ceremony at Palácio do Planalto, Dilma will receive heads of state, ministers and other authorities at a cocktail at Itamaraty. So far, 30 international authorities, including 12 heads of state, have confirmed their attendance.
"The presence of the heads of state of Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Suriname and Chile has been confirmed. The delegation from Argentina has not confirmed their attendance yet. The South Korean prime minister, the prince of the Asturias and the secretary of State of the United States, Hillary Clinton, should also attend," he said.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
