Dilma Rousseffsworn in as Brazil'snew president

Dilma Rousseff has been sworn
in as Brazil's first woman
president, succeeding Luiz
Inacio Lula da Silva, the most
popular leader in the country's
history.
Ms Rousseff, 62, who has never
held elected office, has pledged
to follow the path set by
President Lula.
He was constitutionally barred
from seeking a third consecutive
term.
Brazil's economy has grown
strongly but it remains one of the
most unequal societies in the
world.
Ms Rousseff was appointed
energy minister in President
Lula's government in 2003 and
served as his chief of staff from
2005 to 2010.
She was elected in October,
defeating the opposition
candidate Jose Serra by 56% to
44% in a run-off vote.
She is known to favour a strong
state role in strategic areas,
including banking, the oil
industry and energy.
She has also promised to tackle
Brazil's complicated tax system.
Strong growth
Ms Rousseff's inauguration
ceremony at the Brazilian
Congress began with a ride
through the capital, Brasilia, in a
Rolls-Royce. Rain prevented the
vehicle's roof from being
opened.
In her oath, she promised to
maintain and defend the
constitution, observe the law,
promote the wellbeing of the
Brazilian people, and sustain the
union, integrity and
independence of Brazil.
She will later join Mr Lula at the
presidential palace, where he will
drape her in the green-and-gold
Brazilian sash of office.
Ms Rousseff, a former Marxist
rebel who was imprisoned for
three years in the early 1970s for
resisting military rule, has
promised to protect freedom of
expression and worship, and to
honour the constitution.
The BBC's Paulo Cabral, in Sao
Paulo, says Ms Rousseff faces
significant challenges, public
health, education and improving
the country's infrastructure.
Brazil's economy is estimated to
have grown by 8% in 2010.
However, the currency, the real,
has risen so high that it is now
making Brazil's exports less
competitive.
During his two terms as
president from 2002, 30 million
people were lifted out of poverty
- a major reason for his status as
Brazil's most popular president,
our correspondent says.
During President Rousseff's term,
Brazil will host the Rio Plus 20
global environmental summit in
2012; the Fifa World Cup in 2014;
and the Summer Olympics in
2016.
Dilma Rousseff
sworn in as Brazil's
new president
President Rousseff vowed to
sustain the union, integrity and
independence of Brazil
Tough tasks ahead
for Dilma
Lula's enduring
legacy
A vote for
continuity?
Expert views:
Brazil's challenges
Rain prevented the roof of Ms
Rousseff's open-top Rolls Royce
from being opened