Jacques Wagner and José Serra / Manu Dias / AGECOM / Fotos Govba / Flickr.com
Lula and his government are very popular in Brazil. It is even the most popular Brazilian government since a while: 76% of the Brazilians approve its action. The rate is quite similar to Michelle Bachelet in Chile, a few weeks ago. But just like it happened in Chile, Lula’s party could lose the next presidential election, on October 3rd.
Just like Bachelet, Lula cannot run as candidate. The Workers’ Party chose Dilma Rousseff, Lula’s Chief of Staff as a candidate. The beginning of the campaign (that has not been yet launched officially) has been quite difficult for the Workers’ Party, because of some discontent with Lula’s policy but mostly because of the personality of their main opponent, José Serra.
Serra has been one of the leaders of the Brazilian political life for years. He is the governor of Sao Paulo state and he can count on the support of the economical elite, especially because the opposition seems to be united to block the Workers’ Party. His opponents claim that it could be “back to the future” with him as he is quite close to former president Cardoso. But according to many analysts, his main advantage would be his charisma, as the programs of his Brazilian Social Democratic Party and the Workers’ Party are not so distant.
Dilma Rousseff has suffered a lack of reputation and an image of severity. She could also face the competition of another woman in her own camp. Marina Silva (a former member of the Workers’ Party) could run in the presidential campaign for the Green Party. She is quite popular and could steal some of her votes. Brazil, just like Chile? Not really. The Brazilian political landscape is very different from the Chilean’s one.
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