Brazil: Results provide second round

With 88 per cent of the vote counted, President Lula (PT) has 48.6 per cent against 41.6 of Alckmin (PSDB); 6.85 of Heloisa Helena (PSOL) and 2.64 of Cristovam Buarque (PDT). This being the case, there will be a second round on 29^th October.

Photo: Brazil: Results provide second round

The political scandals (while orchestrated to a certain point by the Opposition) took their toll on President Lula who is now forced to fight a second round of the presidential election. However, if negotiations with the PSOl and PDT are successful, he should continue his reforms and implement his social programs over the next four years in a Brazil which was the champion of social inequality during decades of mismanagement by right-wing policies and parties.

In the area of the economy, a slow but constant growth has begun to create jobs and has seen the production and competitiveness indicators rise while exports have grown markedly.

As for international relations, Lula has followed a vigorous policy, increasing respect for Brazil in the international community, deeping and strengthening the BRIC block (Brazil, Rússia, Índia, China) and marrying Brasília with the international community, while in Africa Brazil’s presence is felt substantially.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru

LISBON

Marcia MIRANDA

PRAVDA.Ru

BRASIL