According to an article published in The Economist, Dilma Rousseff is cruising towards victory on the coat-tails of a popular president. But there is more at stake in October’s election than meets the eye On July 6th the campaign for October’s general election formally kicks off. It will be the first presidential election since democracy [...]
Posts under ‘Politics’
Brazil’s leading opposition candidate launches his bid for the presidency
Brazil’s leading opposition candidate Jose Serra launched his bid for the presidency in October elections, proposing more efficiency, new trade deals and improved public transportation and security. Serra, former governor of Sao Paulo, of the centrist PSDB party, also criticized high taxes in Latin America’s largest economy and accused the current administration of President Luiz Inacio [...]
Brazil’s ruling party nominates president Lula’s hand-picked sucessor
The Brazilian ruling party has nominated president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hand-picked sucessor and chief of staff as its candidate to replace him in the elections on October 3rd. If elected, Dilma Rousseff (PT), 62-year-old, an economist who has never run for office, would be the first female president. The opinion polls has shown [...]
For the first time a Brazilian governor is sent to jail
Following months of street protest against Brasília´s governor, José Roberto Arruda, seen in a video receiving money, apparently, from bribery, he has been sent to jail accused of corruption. Brazil´s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) ruled in favor of his detention and removal from office. Federal intervention is a possibility. Arruda was the first governor [...]
Brazilian president as seen by The New York Times
“As the popular two term president of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva presided over a period of significant growth in the economy that has solidified the country as the center of gravity in Latin America and an increasingly important player in the world.” That´s the way The New York Times begins a long and detailed [...]
Lincoln Gordon Dies at 96; Educator and Ambassador to Brazil
For those interested in knowing more about the former American ambassador to Brazil, Lincoln Gordon, who died recently at the age of 96, an article published by the New York Times makes a good read. For Brazilians, Dr. Gordon was always a controversial figure. He repeatedly denied accusations that himself, his staff and the Central Intelligence [...]
Brazil’s Presidential Race to Pit Lula Aide Against State Governor
José Serra’s key rival bowed out his party’s presidential race. By JOHN LYONS - The Wall Stree Journal SÃO PAULO, Brazil — The shape of Brazil’s next presidential race became clearer, with a powerful state governor emerging as the key challenger to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s handpicked successor. Brazilian politician José Serra, a U.S.-trained [...]
Latin America’s honeymoon with Obama may be over
Presidente Obama meets Venezuela´s president Hugo Chavez BY ANDRES PENHEIMER Aoppenheimer@MiamiHerald.com Only a few months ago, Latin American leaders hailed the Obama administration as a new beginning in hemispheric relations. But now, the honeymoon is over. Brazil, the biggest country in the region, perhaps emboldened by its steady economic growth, oil discoveries and a recent [...]
Brazil, U.S., OAS flunked Honduras test
Honduras former president Manuel Zelaya with members of Carter Center in the Brazil´s embassy, in Tegucigalpa BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER aoppenheimer@MiamiHerald.com Brazil, the United States and the Organization of American States deserve a gold medal each for their awful handling of Sunday’s presidential elections in Honduras. Let’s examine how the main international players behaved in the crisis [...]
After Lula
By John Prideaux: São Paulo bureau chief, The Economist Whoever wins, Brazil should remain in capable hands after its presidential election Latin America’s largest economy is enjoying its best moment for a long time. One of the last countries to enter the global downturn started by the financial sector in 2007, Brazil was also one [...]