Speaking over the phone on SIC's Jornal da Noite, the Portuguese head of state expressed Portugal's solidarity with the new "legitimately invested power" in Brazil after the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President.

Marcelo reiterated "Portugal's support and solidarity for a mandate that must be respected", expressing his conviction that the international community, the CPLP and the European Union will do the same.

"All acts of an unconstitutional and illegal nature are unacceptable," said the Portuguese head of state, commenting on events in Brasília.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reinforced that Lula da Silva "has democratic legitimacy" and must exercise it.

Hundreds of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have invaded and vandalised the National Congress, the Planalto Palace, and the Federal Supreme Court (STF), seats of the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers, in a demonstration in which they call for military intervention to overthrow President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a week after his inauguration.

Protesters advanced and broke through the barriers set up by the police, with images of the invaders inside the green hall of Congress, inside and outside the Planalto Palace and the Federal Supreme Court (STF), posted on social media.

Brazilian police used tear gas to try unsuccessfully to stop the demonstrators.