Brazil: New development in presidential election

The largest political party in brazil, the PFL (Partido da Frente Liberal) has dropped presidential candidate Roseana Sarney, who renounced her application after a police raid on her offices discovered financial irregularities in her firm.

Roseana Sarney, the daughter of ex-President Jose Sarney, blamed the standing President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, for being behind the raid which “massacred” her hopes for election. The PFL is now split between three factions: freedom to back any candidate, a group backing the PPS candidate Ciro Gomes and another in support of Jose Serra, the PSDB candidate, supported by the President and the government, named as “the official candidate”.

In first place, with 32% of voting intentions, remains Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, of the Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers’ Party). Second, is Jose Serra, with 19% of the poll, while Anthony Garotinho is third.

Marcia MIRANDA PRAVDA.Ru BRAZIL