Workers' Party big winner in Brazilian local elections

[Judi Lynn]

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Workers' Party big winner in Brazilian local elections

TOM HENNIGAN in São Paulo
PRESIDENT LUIZ Inácio Lula da Silva was the big winner in local elections held on Sunday across Brazil, despite a surprisingly low vote for his candidate in South America’s biggest city.

Candidates from his ruling Workers’ Party or his allies won in 10 of the 15 state capitals decided outright while up to nine he supports went through to compete in a run-off round to be held in three weeks.

President Lula is enjoying unprecedented levels of popularity – approaching 80 per cent in some polls – on the back of a booming economy and his successful social programmes which target assistance to the country’s poorest citizens. The local election results will strengthen his hand in deciding who succeeds him in 2010, when he is obliged to step down after two terms in office.

The one setback on the night was in São Paulo, Brazil’s biggest city.

More:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2008/1007/1223332518449.html