

Brazil's presidential campaign

In Lula's footsteps

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

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Readers' comments




It is my obligation to post here to defend Lula, you see, I get paid to defend the government. I am one of the “bolsa família” recipients, so what I basically do for a living is to get this huge amount of money (roughly $80 per family per month) then I go and log into accounts in this magazine, yes, I write accounts, because obviously everybody defending Lula ou Dilma are only my alter egos.

And I write obviously because everyone who votes for Lula and Dilma are poor people, and the poor in Brazil cannot speak English, they cannot even think, they are not illuminated like the ones who courageously write here against this leftist dictator, even though many who oppose the government have been arrested and even killed. But back to the poor, so how did it ever come to your mind that they could write in English? So, duh! That should be easy for you to conclude.

Plus, I have here the obligation to let you know who are the poor in Brazil, those folks are simply lazy, everything they want is to receive this monthly fortune (roughly $80 per family per month) so that they might buy food, you see, that really revolts me, if you cannot buy food, just die! I really hope you understand my frustration, I have to come here and write to defend Lula to make ends meet and they get it for free. UNFAIR!!!!!

I also want to honestly confess that I have taken part in many surveys to increase the popularity of the government by answering more than one time. You see, what basically happens is that the surveyor goes in the street interviewing random people, so I am informed by Head Quarters (yes, there are more than 1 million people working there, all of them also receive “bolsa família” in case you are curious) where the surveyor is, so I go after the person and answer, then I turn the corner and my associate is there with a wig and a mustache, then I come back and answer again. You see, we have been doing that for so long and nobody ever figured that out.

You see, this explains everything!


I am still not happy folks! Not at all!

So I will keep on denouncing everything behind this terrible regime that destroyed everything that was ever good in my homeland. And this comment also starts by agreeing with the ones who wrote here that these bandits on the government have invented corruption. You see, before Lula, Brazil was just awesome, there was not even one case of corruption, I mean, in the government, because these folks even out of office managed to steal my money.

Still, all this leftist repression I am suffering must stop, plus, I really like the other side, they are my kind of people. For instance, Serra, my candidate and president (he already is in my heart), has chosen its candidate for the vice-presidency, the guy is from the party who supported the military dictatorship in the past (again, my kind of people).

Then, right after the announcement, a city councilwoman from Rio de Janeiro who is from Serra’s party, Andrea Gouveia Vieira, has announced her dissatisfaction with the pick, since she takes the lead in a commission formed to investigate the stealing of money which was supposed to feed school’s children and the candidate is one of the suspects! Below you will find the link to her blog with the denounce (sadly, its only in Portuguese):


However, before you think that the man is corrupt, please note that she is only saying that because she wanted to be picked, but was DENIED!!! Plus, if the story is really true I couldn’t agree more, if those children are not strong enough to feed themselves, then they are no good for our country, after all, that’s what Darwin said, right?

Ohhh.. sorry, I really would like to continue spreading the truth about those communists in my country, but they just called me and a survey is taking place close by. Just before I go, I really have to let you know that I hate my job, and the only reason I do that is to maintain my millionaire lifestyle. I can hardly wait for the 80 bucks I am getting this month, I think I will buy a Ferrari!



In a few moments from now, this forum will be invaded by Lula Roussef´s supporters. Most of them getting paid for this. That´s how PT intends to stay forever on the presidential chair. Propaganda, propaganda and propaganda. Why are these leftists, who use words like "imperialists" all the time, reading an english business magazine?

Brazil is a bit better now thanks to the stability and the great surplus on the commodities account. And of course, this and the time to people do their businesses and make them flourish. Lula and his avatar were against the Plano Real, which brought stability, and they always criticized the BR agricultural sector (when in the opposition, they defended a Mao Tse Tung land reform).
Now they stand as great capitalist leaders, hiding themselves among the BR hard workers while making plans for a bigger state in a corrupt like Brazil. (I guess the international Lula policies, anti-USA and UK and pro-any friendly dictator, are already known and don´t deserve any comments).
The BR private sector is suffocated by the state, the institutions are getting weaker, the worst type of politicians are getting stronger (on a stronger state) as Lula allies and Brazil is reaching its growth limits. What´s the future of this country?
PT is nothing but a gang and their leaders are just heading Brazil to the hole. While they´re deluding the world with cheap propaganda they´re getting stronger and specialy richer.
The Economist editor forgot to explain Dilma´s past and present. Former assailant, kidnapper, bank robber and murder in the 70´s and now a big liar, unable to make a decent speech without paper or tele-prompter to help.
That´s why is to tough to believe in Lula and his followers. Their lives would be too incoherent to be true if they abandon the life of crimes destinated to the socialists of Latin America.

Dan Lima

I think the picture of Serra as the guy that will deliver 'a strong state, room for private investment and lower interest rate' is just too rosy...

As we use to say in Brazil, politicians campaign in poetry, but govern in prose. This last paragraph shows that The Economist bought too easily Serra's smooth poetry. The decision that Brazilians will face in October is certainly much more complex than what is argued in this article.


Good report from Economist. I found it very honest. Those who advocate PT supporters and leftists who post their opinions in this forum are paid by the party- among other nonsenses, are just bitterly jealous of the achievents obtained since Lula took office. We all know the country faces major challenges and the present gov's no saint, but hey, look at us back 15 years, 10 years, and look at the present situation. Better still, look ahead. Please keep your unjustified rancour to yourselves and try to contribute to the building of a better society instead of sabotaging a government that has done more to the poor than any other ever.



Brilliant, very Brillant commentary. Stick it to the extremely pro-USA corrupt elite of Brazil.


I think is important to publish in channels such as the Economist some facts with regards to Dilma's past. In no civilized country a person with the involvement to dictatorship and killing would be even considered as a candidate. Please consider the message and publish what the Brazilian government is not communicating.


I don´t see how a supermarket openning 7am is considered hardworking. Other parts of the world have grocery stores open 24 hours a day, maybe our correspondent is European...


The article covers quite a number of topics, but one it does not is the deplorable state of taxation. As Mr Serra points out, Brazil (at around 40% of GDP) has one of the highest fiscal burdens of comparable countries, but a large part of government income is wasted on a greedy and parasitic public bureacracy (not to mention politicians and their entourage) who continually legislate to increase their salaries, pensions, privileges of all kinds, tax loopholes and so forth. While most of tax is paid at source by a minority of better-paid private sector employees, some professionals and most large companies, an enormous army of "informal" small enterprises and a major part of the service sector make tax evasion a national specialty. Effectively fighting tax evasion would allow cutting tax rates, and smarter spending would allow more infrastructure investment - something a new administration should make a top priority.

James AntiBr

Neither Dilma Rousseff, nor Jose Serra are good candidates for President. Jose Serra is the lesser of the two evils. He is
experienced in actual governance. The article points out that under Lula social inequalities have fallen (due to the "Bolsa Familia" welfare scheme). However, it is just some crumbs in order to appease the poor while strengthen the Brazilian misguided faith in government. Jose Serra does have the training and know how
to take Brazil to the next level, but Congress may pose a
major stumbling block. Dilma will likely become whimsical like Argentina's President Christina de Kirchner, and may raid any form of monetary supply to swell her approval and power.
The article did not mentioned two important image boosting techniques that Brazil is using to look good for the outside world. 1) A Berlin like wall separating the favelas from the rest of Rio:
2) Shock Order to correct habitual Brazilian behaviors that may not sit well with the the Olympic and the World Cup crowds of naïve awestruck tourists.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BF40B20091216 (Shock Order).
Brazil does indeed have a lot of good things going for it, but old habits like Statism, vote buying , corruption, bloated public sector, and an aversion for entrepreneurship (including venture capital for the lower classes) hinders Brazil for becoming a true major power in the world. As your article pointed out, Brazilians retire in their 50s which could make a possible Greece like situation sometime in the future. The biggest hindrance still is upward mobility for 50% of the population (Afro Brazilians). According to Lula's public statements, he does not know any Black Banker. Brazil is a polarized society when it comes to promotion and opportunities for Blacks attaining status long conquered in the U.S.
Kenneth Chenault, an African American, is the CEO of American Express. Brazil has no equivalent, and likely won’t have it for quite sometime. Finally, your article points out that oil has become one of Brazil’s largest receipts. Nearly ten years ago, Brazil suffered a disaster similar to BP in the Gulf of Mexico.
Too much reliance on oil for government revenue may lose its appeal if the electric car takes off and alternative sources of energy (solar, wind, and hydrogen) are perfected. For the near term, Brazil may profit some, but over the long term it may not be so.


Judging by the comments here, it seems to be only paid Serra commentators in this forum, at least if we are to follow the logic (if there is any) of hmises and others.


The present Dilma is a masterpiece of falsity.
The myth of good manager in easily destroyed by PT´s own words. They call her "the Mother of the PAC (Growth Accelerator Program)".
In other words, she is responsible for the Program.
Well, even being just a mosaic of construction works and vague promises, they call it a plan. With no ethics, the BR federal govt mixes city and state works and even private projects as if they were part of the Dilma´s plans.
Everything to inflate numbers and give them the means to keep travelling around the country inaugurating things, if they´re still on paper.
Well, the magic manager shows her limits with a quick look at the numbers. They´ve not accomplished the half of the projects, according to their own numbers, wich we must have an immense goodwill to believe. That´s the great manager.
Not satisfied, they´ve launched the PAC2, with even more promises.
That´s the masterpiece of falsity, that´s the Goebbels way of geting votes, with empty pride and blind nationalism.


Thiago Q commented that Serra "is from the party who supported the military dictatorship in the past". The PSDB was founded in 1989, after the end of the military period. Lula suffers from the Latin Left disease of gross hypocrisy, incapable of criticizing the dictators in Cuba,Venezuela etc. His govt. has been ridden with scandals and corruption that would have brought down any leader in a major 1st world nation. The list is long but the major ones were: 1-Bingos/Waldimiro Diniz 2- Correios 3-Mensalao (a scandal of enormous proportions and repercussion) 4-Sigilo Bancario de Francenildo Costa 5-Operacao Sanguessuga/Ambulancias 6-Dossie- I tried to post the full list of 100 scandals and dubious events but was unable due to Economist rules. Lula is not known for pursuing corruption vigorously esp. if it involves his political base (PT and allies). He has only increased the size of the bureaucracies and the absurd tax burden. The article mentioned the retirement system deficit. The bulk of that is due to PUBLIC SERVICE retirees, some called Maharajahs due to their scandalously high stipends. Under Lula huge amounts of public money was funneled to the MST, Unions and other groups with no or little oversight. There are several scandals and CPIs related to these abuses. One can only surmise that Dilma will continue the above or increase it. The PAC is full of graft, overcharging etc. The Brazilians have a false belief that government is the solution to all their problems. What the govt. does generally is expensive and of poor quality. The public schools,public health system and hospitals, roads, prisons etc etc are a testament to that fact. Brazil needs precisely the opposite of what Lula has done. He takes credit for the Bolsa Familia which has turned into a huge vote buying scheme but it was really the consolidation of programs started under his predecessor FHC- namely Bolsa Escola, Vale Gas etc.


I wasn´t fair with Dilma on my last comment. She deserves more than that.
As I wrote just a few words, now I´ll make a complement.
Those serious crimes commited by her in the past are used by the loony socialists of Brazil to transform that Lula´s puppet on a kind of hero, who did all that to defend democracy. Dilma often says she´s proud of her past, she even says (with no proofs) she was tortured. The same happens with some of Lula´s closest friends like José Dirceu (Castro Boy), Palloci (Ministry of Secret Acts), Genoíno (underwear scandal) and Franklin Martins (US ambassador kidnapper).
What Dilma and those punks have in common, besides Lula?
Among Lenin and Trotsky followers, they all had a deep admiration for the soviet system of life. By the use of violence, these groups of terrorists just wanted to install a comunist dictatorship in Brazil and in the end, they lost the war against BR Army (with the blessed help of the US) and BR democratic forces, including the Catholic Church.
Democracy? Never passed by their freaking minds.
Today, they use the Gramsci-Goebbels methods to stay in power forever.

Claudio Jr.

I must disagree with this article’s conclusion that Mr. Serra is the most market-friendly and adequate successor to Lula. In fact, most of the points this article raised in favour of Mr. Serra does not live up to close scrutiny.

Mr. Serra term in Sao Paulo state government had two markedly distinct phases: during the first 3 years of his mandate, he kept an extremely low profile, maybe trying to dissociate his image from Sao Paulo’s state most pressing problems: inadequate basic education and public security services. Recently, right before leaving his office, Mr. Serra started a set of conspicuous infrastructure works, funded mainly by new debt.

Mr. Serra did little to improve basic education in Sao Paulo state. He introduced a policy of denying wage increases to all instructors but the 20% best performers in a standardized test. Although at first it seems an improvement, unrealistic requirements prevented most personnel from even sitting the test, let alone preparing to it. The net effect of these policies was a steady decrease in Sao Paulo students’ already meagre performance in Pisa tests, lagging behind those of students in Brazil’s poorer states.

Mr. Serra’s record in public safety is also dismal. Police officers in Sao Paulo receive one of the worst salaries in Brazil. Criminal investigation and intelligence have almost been completely dismantled due to a severe shortage of staff, mostly due to early retirement or termination for corruption. Needless to say that crime rates are skyrocketing in Sao Paulo state, despite a recent technical correction that eliminated duplicate crime reporting.

Despite his “conservative” policies, Mr. Serra did not reduce overall state expenses, nor did he accelerate state’s debt payments or reduce taxes. In fact, he introduced a new collection procedure for ICMS (the local version of VAT) that increased financial costs for manufacturers.

In addition to his disputable performance in Sao Paulo, Mr. Serra promises do not match those reported in the article. He claims, probably for internal consumption, to be the only “true representative of left-wing”, has promised to halt privatization and to personally intervene in the central bank’s interest rate decisions.

Those contradictions, combined with recent demonstrations of political inability by Mr. Serra, cast a shadow on Brazil’s future if he is elected.


I find it ridicoulus and outdate in this 21th century that some brazilians still brainwashed by the pure american imperialist propagand in South America and the whole of the world.

It's obvious that Presidente Lula is a social democrat leader.
Brazil have long disfigured image one of the most inequitable places on earth. Brazil will never be considerate First World if we don't solve our serious social problems. Finally the inequalities reduced trough Presidente Lula smart social policy and boosting comsumption.
I have been living in Germany for 7 years and the most important germans politicies and programs are social,also France has a strong social politic. I am sure that I will came back this year to a new Brazil.
I quote from Michael Moore Lula's article published by Times Magazine 2010, " When Brazilians first elected Lula da Silva President in 2002, the country's robber barons nervously checked the fuel gauges on their private jets. They had turned Brazil into one of the most inequitable places on earth, and now it looked like payback time. Lula tries to propel Brazil into the First World with government social programs like Fome Zero. What Lula wants for Brazil is what we used to call the American Dream".
The Times Magazine this year choose Lula as the 10th most influential political leaders of the world.
That's reason Lula deserves more intelligent critics than he has had till now from Brazilian opposition , a constructive criticism to improve our country.


On what grounds does the Economist base the assertion that Dilma is "an efficient though notoriously bad-tempered administrator" ? After 7 long years of Lula's government all we can say is that Dilma is inefficient and incompetent. All it takes is to look at the numbers of the PAC: only 6% of all the promissed investment were made by the government and Dilma was the one running it... All the rest was done by either Petrobras or the private sector.

But what really caught my eye in this article was the following passage:

"How much of the credit does Lula deserve for all this? His government turned Bolsa Família from a small-scale experiment into the world’s biggest conditional cash-transfer programme".

Well during FHC government that programme--- running under another name and promplty hijacked by Lula---benefited around 5 million families. I cannot see how you could call that a small scale experiment... The truth is that the Economist is buying all the distortions and Lies planted by Lula and his allies that Brazil was invented in 2003, when Lula came to power. Sad, very sad for a magazine like the Economist.

Last but not least, I found this paragraph appalling:

"The opposition’s nightmare is that Ms Rousseff might use oil revenues to entrench the PT in power and that Brazil might go the way of other oil-rich Latin American states, such as Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela or Mexico under the Institutional Revolutionary Party. "

I think that is a nightmare for any Brazilian, not only for the political parties in the opposition! Sounds like the author wants to convey a msg here that the opposition is driven only by pet politics. The reality is quite the contrary: we all know that PT is the party trying to stay in Power at all costs by continously encroaching on the Brazilian State and by working to undermine Brazilian institutions and democracy.


Is there any candidate talking about cutting taxes and reducing State size?I mean, for real...
Or they are the same caudilhos and populists preventing south america countries to grow?
I dont see neither Russef or Serra ready to do that. Brazilian population dont understand this idea and therefore dont ask for it.


The problem of depending so much on oil revenues and commodities is partly because countries like US impose so harsh barriers to brazilian products such as ethanol, for instance. Still we are criticized for not being so open and conducive to foreign investments.

@Vasquez, yes we have 24h services such as supermarkets. I don't see how having services stopped for watching 7 ninety-minutes matches every 4 years is so deleterious to the economy. If everyone is watching tv for that time, it is more than resonable to keep the services to the absolutly necessary.

About the presidential campaign, this election, and hence its debate will be highly influenced by the opinion of Marina Silva's supporters. As Serra and Dilma are so close in the voting intentions they need to address this audience if they are to win.


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