On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, she was the only one in sight. Applauded by a host of political leaders, Anielle Franco descended the spiral ramp leading to the noble salon of the Planalto, Brasilia's presidential palace. For her investiture, the new minister for racial equality appeared solemn, draped in a multicolored dress made from Beninese fabric. In these premises, ravaged three days earlier by far-right rioters, the moment was incredibly symbolic.
The president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, knew this. He was there to give the scene a special sparkle. "Anielle" is none other than the sister of Marielle Franco, icon of the left, Black and left-wing Rio de Janeiro city advisor, murdered on March 14, 2018 with her driver Anderson Gomes. "I have dedicated every minute of my life to fighting for justice, defending memory and bringing my sister's legacy to fruition," she said, obviously emotional, in her speech.
Almost two years later, Anielle (as everyone calls her) hasn't given up her fight. At the age of 40, she has become one of the most popular members of the government, ranked by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential personalities of the new generation. "But I'm certain that, without my sister's death, I wouldn't be here today," the young minister said.
Wednesday, October 30, saw a crucial event, both for Brazil and for her: The start of the trial of Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz, former police officers and alleged murderers of Marielle Franco, who were sentenced on Thursday to 78 and 59 years in prison respectively. "From the outset, we believed in a response from justice, however small," the minister said.
High-waisted and square-shouldered, this former volleyball player impresses with her stature and relaxed manner. From Rio, where she grew up, Anielle has inherited her natural informality, straightforwardness and typical accent, where every "s" turns into a "ch" sound. She carefully chose the venue for the interview with Le Monde, in an association center at the foot of the Providencia favela, Rio's oldest. "Power hasn't changed me in any way. I'm still the same," said this woman who also grew up in a shantytown.
Paralyzed under Jair Bolsonaro's mandate (2019-2023), the investigation into Marielle Franco's murder suddenly accelerated in March. The brothers Domingos and Joao Francisco Inacio Brazao (known as Chiquinho Brazao), respectively adviser to the Court of Accounts and federal deputy for Rio, as well as commissioner Rivaldo Barbosa, former head of the local civil police, were arrested on suspicion of having used Elcio de Queiroz and Ronnie Lessa, converted into hitmen, to assassinate the activist. Their trial could also take place in 2024.
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