W.E.B. Du Bois
10-04-2010, 03:13 AM
From the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/03/AR2010100304574.html
RIO DE JANEIRO - Voters in the world's fourth-biggest democracy, buoyant about a potent economy and Brazil's rising clout on the world stage, cast their ballots on Sunday for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's handpicked successor in a show of support for the popular leader's policies.
With more than 97 percent of votes counted late in the evening, Dilma Rousseff, 62, a former Marxist guerrilla-turned-economist who served Lula as chief of staff, had nearly 47 percent to 33.8 percent for Jose Serra, a former governor who is her main challenger. A third candidate, Marina Silva, the Green Party candidate and a former environmental minister in Lula's government, had nearly 20 percent.
Polls and political analysts suggest that Rousseff will be Brazil's next president, but she did not get the more than 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff with Serra on Oct. 31.
I think the fact that she is a former Marxist guerrilla is a bit surprising, even for Brazil. Lula, even though he is a far left President guided Brazil well because he was a moderate in economic policy and promoted fiscally responsible policies and did not alienate the business class. Since Rousseff was his chief of staff, maybe she will do the same. One can only hope.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/03/AR2010100304574.html
RIO DE JANEIRO - Voters in the world's fourth-biggest democracy, buoyant about a potent economy and Brazil's rising clout on the world stage, cast their ballots on Sunday for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's handpicked successor in a show of support for the popular leader's policies.
With more than 97 percent of votes counted late in the evening, Dilma Rousseff, 62, a former Marxist guerrilla-turned-economist who served Lula as chief of staff, had nearly 47 percent to 33.8 percent for Jose Serra, a former governor who is her main challenger. A third candidate, Marina Silva, the Green Party candidate and a former environmental minister in Lula's government, had nearly 20 percent.
Polls and political analysts suggest that Rousseff will be Brazil's next president, but she did not get the more than 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff with Serra on Oct. 31.
I think the fact that she is a former Marxist guerrilla is a bit surprising, even for Brazil. Lula, even though he is a far left President guided Brazil well because he was a moderate in economic policy and promoted fiscally responsible policies and did not alienate the business class. Since Rousseff was his chief of staff, maybe she will do the same. One can only hope.