Lula reinforces honeymoon atmosphere with Macron and grants honor in Planalto

President Lula (PT) will grant French President Emmanuel Macron the highest Brazilian honor to a foreigner, the National Order of the Southern Cross. The act reinforces the good relationship created by both and made viral on social networks by memes. The delivery of the “Collar of the National Order of Cruzeiro do Sul” will take place this Thursday afternoon, at Palácio do Planalo, where the presidents will make a joint statement to the press. The decree establishing the delivery was published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette of the Union.

In recent days, photos and memes have gone viral showing both smiling and in relaxed poses during an appointment in the Amazon. The organic publicity on the networks surprised Secom members and helped improve Lula’s image. Due to the government’s drop in popularity, recorded in recent opinion polls, the president demanded improvements in communication and for ministers to travel around the country to publicize their actions.

Macron was received with state honors this Thursday. The screen that showed the ceremony live, installed inside the Palácio do Planalto, featured one of the photos of Macron looking at Lula that went viral on the networks. Even though the atmosphere between them is friendly and relaxed, one of Lula’s main challenges in foreign policy is blocked by Macron’s opposition. The French government is against the terms of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, discussed for more than 20 years, without a conclusion.

During the three-day trip, the French president visited three other cities: Belém (PA), where he met with Lula, governor Helder Barbalho (MDB) and indigenous leaders; Rio de Janeiro, for the launch of a submarine and São Paulo, where he met with businesspeople and participated in an event at the University of São Paulo (USP).

Order of the Southern Cross

According to information from Palácio do Planalto, the National Order of Cruzeiro do Sul originated from the extinct Imperial Order of Cruzeiro, established by Decree of December 1, 1822 of D. Pedro I, to solemnly mark his Acclamation. It is granted by presidential decree, constituting an act of foreign relations. It is the highest Brazilian decoration awarded to foreign citizens.