Rousseff's inaugurals to rely on 4,000 security personnel

Four thousand military and civilian men will provide security for the inauguration of re-elected President Dilma Rousseff next Thursday (January 1st, 2015), for a second four-year term of office. The security scheme was tested on Sunday (Dec. 28) in a rehearsal of the swearing-in ceremony.

The security staff will be stationed on the lawn of the Ministries Esplanade, on rooftops, and up in helicopters. In an open-car parade from the Cathedral of Brasília to the Congress buildings, Rousseff will be escorted by motorcycle and horseback guards. Fencing will be used to isolate the stretch of road where the Rolls-Royce ride will take place as well as the outside area of Palácio do Planalto, the Presidential Palace.

The 4,000 staff will be poised to prevent riots or any demonstrations and rallies that could cause disruptions. The security organization expects no major demonstrations during the event.

The president is expected to get to Congress at 3.pm. On the plenary room of the Chamber of Deputies, she will take the oath of office, sign the instrument of investiture, and give her inaugural address. Upon leaving, she will be greeted with military honors including a round of 21 cannon shots and go to the Presidential Palace.

There, Rousseff will speak to the nation from the parlatorium (speakers' platform), receive compliments from authorities and guests, inaugurate her Cabinet, and sit for official photos. The final part of the ceremony will be a reception at Itamaraty Palace, also known as the Palace of Arches, where the Foreign Ministry is headquartered.

The official estimate is that about 10,000 people will watch the inaugurals from the Esplanade and Praça dos Três Poderes (the Three Branches' Plaza, which is surrounded by the Congress, the Supreme Court, and Palácio do Planalto). The ruling Workers' Party (PT), however, estimates that a crowd of at least 30,000 will come.

Attendance is expected to include delegations from 60 countries and 27 heads of state and government, including US Vice-President Joe Biden, as well as Presidents José Mujica (Uruguay), Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela) and Michelle Bachelet (Chile).

Translated by Mayra Borges