Brazil: Re-election of Lula da Silva (pub. Oct. 31, 2006)
Searching more than 75 years of world history
Provisional results published by the electoral authorities in Brazil indicated that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio “ Lula ” da Silva of the ruling Workers’ Party (PT) had won 60.83 per cent of the vote in the second round of presidential elections contested on Oct. 29, 2006, thereby securing a second consecutive four-year term in office. Geraldo Alckmin of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), da Silva’s only rival in the second round, won 39.17 per cent of the votes.
Immediate context
The eruption of a bribery scandal in June 2005, in which senior PT officials were accused of paying cash to legislators from two parties that were part of the ruling coalition in return for their support in the legislature, had weakened da Silva’s coalition government and damaged the image of his ruling PT. Several senior politicians, including many PT officials, were dismissed from office or had resigned after being implicated in the scandal, prompting some analysts to question whether or not da Silva would seek re-election. However, he formally announced that he would run for a second term in office during a PT conference on June 24. Just weeks before the first round of voting in the presidential elections, on Sept. 15, 2006, the PT became embroiled in another corruption scandal, when two men, allegedly hired by the party, were arrested in the city of Sao Paulo in possession of almost US$800,000. The cash was, according to the police, due to be exchanged for information implicating da Silva’s closest political rivals, including Alckmin, in wrongdoing.Reaction and outlook
During his victory speech in Sao Paulo on Oct. 29, 2006, da Silva pledged to “give attention to the most needy”, adding that “poor” people would have “preference” in his second term. Many analysts considered the greatest challenge of da Silva’s second term to be the passage in Congress (the bicameral federal legislature) of a series of economic reforms, which had been hindered by the revelations of corruption, the congressional public inquiries and the crumbling congressional support that ensued.Historical context
A revolution in Brazil in 1930 resulted in a military junta installing Getúlio Vargas as its leader before Congress elected him as President on July 17, 1934. During Vargas’ presidency, which lasted until 1945, when he was deposed by a military coup led by two former supporters, he promulgated a new constitution in 1937, replacing the country’s 1934 constitution. Vargas was democratically elected to a second term in office in presidential elections contested on Oct. 3, 1950, but committed suicide on Aug. 24, 1954, after several of his aides were implicated in an unsuccessful assassination attempt against a newspaper editor who had opposed his policies. In 1964 a military coup removed President João Goulart from power, marking the beginning of a 21-year period of military dictatorship (1964-1985), which was initially led by former army commander General Humberto Castelo Branco In the military dictatorship era, allegations of torture of political detainees by the police and members of the armed forces were common and only one opposition party was permitted. General Joao Baptista da Oliveira Figueiredo became President—and the fifth military leader since the military 1964 coup in 1964--on March 15, 1979, pledging to restore democracy. The PT announced its provisional formation in October 1979, after a reform bill was sent to Congress on Oct. 18, 1979, providing for the official termination of Brazil’s two-party system and the establishment of rules for the creation of new parties. The PT had responded to da Silva's successive defeats in the presidential elections of 1989, 1994, and 1998, by abandoning many of its hard left policies, such as the nationalisation of privatised utilities and the suspension of Brazil's foreign debt repayments. When da Silva won presidential elections contested on Oct. 6, 2002, he had vowed to make the elimination of hunger and the reduction of economic and social inequality the priorities of his administration.Timeline links
October 2006 President Luiz Inácio “ Lula ” da Silva of the ruling Workers’ Party (PT) wins a second term in office in the second round of presidential elections.August 2006 Publication of a congressional commission of inquiry report calling for the expulsion of 72 legislators for participation in a corruption ring and the embezzlement of public health funds.
June 2006 Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) ruling on electoral alliances; publication of a congressional inquiry report into corruption concluding that 79 people, including senior politicians and business executives, should face criminal charges.
February 2006 The Chamber of Deputies approves a bill to limit the amount of money that candidates can spend on election campaigns.
December 2005 Former Chief Minister of the Cabinet Jose Dirceu is expelled from Congress in connection with a bribery scandal.
September 2005 President of the Chamber of Deputies, Severino Cavalcanti, resigns after being implicated in bribery scandal.
August 2005 Liberal Party president Valdemar Costa Neto resigns from Congress after admitting to his role in the corruption scandal.
February 2005 President da Silva suffers a defeat when his favoured candidate for the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies is rejected by lawmakers.
February 2004 President da Silva comes under considerable pressure to agree to the appointment of congressional public inquiry commissions (CPIs) to investigate two campaign funding scandals.
January 2003 Inauguration of da Silva and appointment of new Cabinet.
November 2002 Antonio Palocci Filho is appointed as head of da Silva’s presidential transition team. October 2002 Da Silva wins presidential elections.
November 2000 The PT wins 13 of the 16 municipalities which it contested in the second round of nationwide municipal elections.
October 1998 General elections.
December 1997 Launch of da Silva’s election campaign.
July 1997 An inquiry clears da Silva of involvement in corruption.
June 1997 The PT orders an internal investigation into allegations of corruption involving da Silva; ratification of constitutional amendment allowing sitting presidents, state governors and mayors to stand for re-election.
January 1997 The Chamber of Deputies supports a constitutional amendment bill allowing sitting presidents, state governors and mayors to stand for re-election.
August 1995 José Dirceu de Oliviera e Silva replaces da Silva as president of the PT.
January 1995 Inauguration of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
December 1994 The Supreme Federal Tribunal votes to acquit former President Fernando Collor de Mello of corruption charges on grounds of insufficient evidence.
October 1994 General elections.
May 1994 The PT endorses da Silva as its candidate for 1994 presidential elections.
March 1994 Congress approves constitutional amendment reducing the presidential term from five years to four years.
January 1994 The assassination of a trade union leader is attributed to the PT by its political opponents.
December 1992 President Fernando Collor de Mello resigns as impeachment proceedings against him commence; Vice-President Itamar Franco is immediately sworn in as President for the remaining two years of the five-year presidential term.
May 1992 Congress approves the creation of a special commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption against President Fernando Collor de Mello.
December 1989 Presidential elections.
November 1988 Promulgation of a new constitution.
March 1986 Legalisation of political parties ahead of municipal elections.
June 1985 Death of President-elect Tancredo Neves; inauguration of President José Sarney.
February 1984 Opposition calls for direct election of President.
February 1983 The first full multi-party national elections since the military takeover of 1964 are held in November 1982.
December 1981 Trade Union developments, including the holding of the Conference of the Working Class (Conclat).
July 1981 Internal developments, including the trial and conviction in absentia of da Silva for "civil disobedience" and "subversive propaganda".
January 1981 Several new political parties are established; da Silva is detained by the authorities in connection with a strike by metal workers in Sao Paulo.
January 1980 Congress approves a partial amnesty bill; return of exiles to Brazil; restructuring of political party system.
March 1979 Inauguration of Gen. Joao Baptista da Oliveira Figueiredo as President.
January 1974 An electoral college elects General Ernesto Geisel as President in succession to President Garrastazu Medici.
March 1971 Allegations of torture of political detainees by the police and members of the armed forces.
November 1970 Holding of the first general elections to be held in Brazil since 1966.
December 1966 President Castelo Branco promulgates a new constitution, increasing presidential powers.
May 1964 President João Goulart is removed from power by a military coup; General Castelo Branco becomes President.
January 1961 Janio Quadros is inaugurated as President in succession to President Juscelino Kubitschek following presidential elections held in October 1960.
September 1954 President Getúlio Vargas commits suicide.
February 1951 Inauguration of Getúlio Vargas for his second term in office.
October 1945 President Vargas is overthrown in a military coup.
November 1937 President Vargas promulgates a new constitution.
July 1934 Vargas is elected as President.
October 1932 End of civil war after collapse of Sao Paulo rebels.
August 1932 Leaders of insurgency accept conditions for a ceasefire.
