Lira replaces her father in inauguration and talks about delicate health in an emotional speech

The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL)participated last Wednesday (1st) in the inauguration ceremony of the re-elected mayor of Barra de São Miguel, Benedito de Lira (PP), his father. Biu, as he is known, did not attend the event due to surgery carried out on New Year’s Eve, as Arthur Lira explained during his speech.

With a choked voice, Lira highlighted that the absence of her 82-year-old father was due to health reasons, but assured that the recovery is underway. The surgery was carried out at Arthur Ramos Hospital, in Maceió, about 30 km from the city. The information is from the newspaper The Globe.

“The surgery was performed successfully. Our father and mayor of Barra is recovering quickly so that he can once again assume the mandate that the people of Barra gave him for the second time”, stated Lira, breaking protocol to justify the mayor’s absence.

Benedito de Lira was re-elected in 2024 with 68% of valid votes, leading the coastal municipality in Alagoas with just over 8 thousand inhabitants. A former senator and former federal deputy, Biu was already facing concerns related to his health during the electoral campaign due to his advanced age.

During the ceremony, only vice-mayor Henrique Alves Pinto took the official oath of office. Lira, however, was present as her father’s representative and emphasized the continuity of work in the municipality.

“Our presence here has the symbolism of showing that he is still present, even with his physical absence”, said Lira, sitting at the table of authorities, although the seat reserved for the mayor remained empty.

Arthur Lira also took the opportunity to highlight his commitment to supporting the municipality’s development through federal resources, even after the end of his term as president of the Chamber in February.

“Our mandate as federal deputy will continue to work hard to make this municipality grow,” concluded Lira, reinforcing the call for political unity among local councilors.

Despite Biu’s surgery, Arthur Lira’s office did not disclose details about the procedure or the mayor’s health status.