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Former Brazilian President Lula welcomed by his supporters. Miguel Schincariol / AFP

Barely released, Lula made a speech in front of her supporters this Saturday, November 9. After a year and a half away from their leader, supporters of the Workers 'Party have reaffirmed their support for the former Brazilian president, the metalworkers' union, his historic stronghold near Sao Paulo. The country led by Jair Bolsonaro appears more divided than ever.

" Here, Lula's people, ready to fight. "It is a dense and red crowd that welcomed the former Brazilian president in front of the metalworkers' union, reports our special correspondent in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sarah Cozzolino , the day after his release on decision of the Supreme Court.

► To read also : Certainly free, Lula is "absolutely not released"

Since his release - all relative for now - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva appears dressed in black and reaffirms his innocence. " For 580 days ," he says, " I prepared myself mentally, because I wanted to prove that even in prison, I slept with a clear conscience. "

" I'm back, " he repeats, a return impatiently awaited by his supporters, like Eliana, who made the road from the state of Rio: " I am very happy, full of joy , glad that the Brazilian people are reconciled with themselves. Lula is the soul of the people. "

Galvanized by the crowd, who wears literally and figuratively, Lula attacked Saturday the current government. For Rafael, a member of the Workers' Party, Brazil needs the return of this figure from the left: " Lula, above all, he is a political genius ," he explains .

" He is a man who has a great strategy and a man who can really get Brazil right and bring something more to the world. He has done it once and I am sure he can do it again. "

" Lula should be in jail "

Go back directly to the prison box! This, however, is the message of a few thousand supporters of President Bolsonaro, who went on to proclaim their indignation on Saturday in Sao Paulo, on a big avenue, shortly after the former president's political speech to the metalworkers' union.

Our correspondent in São Paulo, Martin Bernard , met Aelison, a German teacher who came to say a few sworn curses against the former socialist head of state: " Lula should be in jail. "

" But we are no longer in a hurry. Lula does not represent anything politically, "he adds. And to say: " Lula is a joke. He went bankrupt. Communism is over in Brazil. "

The crowd in the streets of São Paulo, to protest the liberation of Lula. Ari FERREIRA / AFP

In his speech, Lula attacked Sergio Moro, the judge who sentenced him for corruption before being appointed Minister of Justice by Jair Bolsonaro.

Trafficked by Lula, Sergio Moro replied that he would not respond to criminals, whether in jail or on the loose. And when Lula said he was " back, " the pro-Bolsonaro protesters said they were ready to block him.

" The Brazilian flag will never be red again "

" But no, he will not come back ! He is a psychopath. He is crazy ! He's not doing well in his head. He will never come back to power. The Brazilian flag will never be red again. Never again ! "Evangeline, a pensioner who came to protest against Lula.

The pro-Bolsonaro camp now wants to pressure Congress to repeal the article of the Penal Code that allowed Lula to recover freedom.

In the meantime, political passions will continue to run wild. While his troubles with justice are not over, Lula will soon be touring the country and promise an " announcement to the Brazilian people " within twenty days.

When I went to see Lula in prison, some people told me that it was not the right thing to do. I told them that you must always be with the one who is the victim of an injustice. You had to be with him. And that day we spent almost an hour together. When her guards told her that time was running out, Lula got angry and said, "You have to win in Argentina." He did not say it like that by the way, no, he said it two or three times. And now I can tell him: yes, I won, we will straighten Argentina. And all together, we will straighten out Latin America. I'm glad Lula is free

Alberto Fernández, President-Elect of Argentina 10/11/2019 - by Jean-Louis Buchet Play