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Brazil's president to be sworn in Brazil's president to be sworn in
(about 2 hours later)
Brazil's newly re-elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is due to be sworn in on Monday for a second term. Brazil's newly re-elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is being sworn in on Monday for a second term.
He won re-election in a landslide victory in October, despite corruption scandals which tarnished his party.He won re-election in a landslide victory in October, despite corruption scandals which tarnished his party.
The former leftist union leader has pledged to retain social change at the heart of his mandate, a policy which has kept him high in opinion polls.The former leftist union leader has pledged to retain social change at the heart of his mandate, a policy which has kept him high in opinion polls.
Mr Lula is expected to give an open-air inaugural speech to supporters outside the presidential palace in Brasilia. Mr Lula was giving an open-air inaugural speech to supporters outside the presidential palace in Brasilia.
Tough term
Thousands of supporters, wearing the bright red T-shirts and caps decorated with the single white star of Mr Lula's Workers' Party, are in Brasilia to witness the ceremony.
One of his supporters, a former metal worker from Sao Paulo who had made the 560-mile (900km) journey by bus, said the opposition had blocked many of Mr Lula's initiatives to help the poor.
"He's had it tough because he's been governing without support of Congress," 64-year-old Mr Alves told the Associated Press.
"I'm a faithful believer in his commitment to the poor. He is the face of the poor," he added.
In recent public opinion polls 52% of Brazilians said that Mr Lula's first term of office was "excellent or good".In recent public opinion polls 52% of Brazilians said that Mr Lula's first term of office was "excellent or good".
Over a third of all those polled said they believe he is the best president the country has ever had.Over a third of all those polled said they believe he is the best president the country has ever had.
Great expectationsGreat expectations
The BBC's correspondent in Brasilia, Steve Kingstone, says the president is likely to continue pursuing market-friendly policies while focusing welfare spending on the poorest of the country.The BBC's correspondent in Brasilia, Steve Kingstone, says the president is likely to continue pursuing market-friendly policies while focusing welfare spending on the poorest of the country.
Analysts say his "Zero Hunger" programme has been particularly popular.Analysts say his "Zero Hunger" programme has been particularly popular.
He has expanded it to reach 11 million families who receive money for food each month in exchange for keeping their children in school.He has expanded it to reach 11 million families who receive money for food each month in exchange for keeping their children in school.
But, although he has managed to stabilise the country's economy and bolster social spending for the large sector of society living in poverty, Brazil's growth has dragged behind other Latin American countries.But, although he has managed to stabilise the country's economy and bolster social spending for the large sector of society living in poverty, Brazil's growth has dragged behind other Latin American countries.
He has said he is aiming for annual growth rate of 5% but some analysts think this is unlikely. Most expect it to grow by 3.4% in 2007.He has said he is aiming for annual growth rate of 5% but some analysts think this is unlikely. Most expect it to grow by 3.4% in 2007.
But Mr Lula has managed to avoid being tarred with the brush of corruption scandals which have forced some of his top advisors to resign.But Mr Lula has managed to avoid being tarred with the brush of corruption scandals which have forced some of his top advisors to resign.
Nor is he seen as responsible for the gang wars which have brought violence to the streets of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.Nor is he seen as responsible for the gang wars which have brought violence to the streets of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.