President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

After final votes were counted, current Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did not have the 51% majority needed to win the election outright on October 1^st. With 48.65% of the vote, Lula now heads into an October 29^th runoff with opponent Geraldo Alckmin, who secured 41.6% at the polls.

President Lula da Silva, who has been credited for bringing confidence and stability to Brazil’s economy during his term, has seen his lead over Alckmin drop slightly in recent months. What was forecasted as an easy victory for the incumbent has now turned into a dogfight to secure last minute votes.

During his first four years in office, Lula da Silva has made Brazil a player in the global economy as well as improved life for many of Brazil’s impoverished citizens. He has created over 4 million new jobs and has brought the once out-of-control Brazilian economy into steady, consistent growth. A former factory worker in his youth, Lula da Silva was shown heavy focus on poverty in his country. His Zero Hunger program provides a minimum income to families you keep their children in school and up to date with vaccinations and supports 45 million people.

Overall, Brazil is in better shape than it has been in decades, yet Lula da Silva still has many critics throughout the country. Many feel he has come up short on his 2002 campaign promises and although the economy is improved, the changes have been only modest. Brazil still carries one of the highest interest rates in the world and it is felt that Lula has not effectively controlled consumer spending. Also damaging are the scandals that have surrounded Lula’s Workers’ Party during his term.

Although Lula da Silva will likely sit another term, the election has been much closer than many Brazilians expected. The deciding factor may be how third runner-up Heloísa Helena’s votes are distributed on October 29^th vote.

Brazilian Election Facts:

• The presidential term is 4 years, and a president can be reelected only once more sequentially.

• General elections are held on Oct 1^st. A candidate must have an absolute majority (over 50%) to win. If no one has the majority, voting goes into a second round on October 29^th between the top two vote-getters.

• Voting is mandatory in Brazil and failure to do so is punishable by fines.