(08/23/10) -

Brazils Lula Keeps Solid Ratings

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva remains highly popular, according to a poll by Ibope. 78 per cent of respondents say Lula’s performance has been good or very good, up three points since June.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva remains highly popular, according to a poll by Ibope. 78 per cent of respondents say Lula’s performance has been good or very good, up three points since June.

Lula—a member of the Worker’s Party (PT)—won the October 2002 presidential election with 61 per cent of the vote in a run-off against Jose Serra of the Brazilian Party of Social Democracy (PSDB). In October 2006, he earned a new four-year term, defeating PSDB candidate Geraldo Alckmin with 60.8 per cent of the vote in the second round. Lula is ineligible for a third consecutive term in office.

In 2006, Lula’s party was affected by a series of corruption scandals. The socialist-leaning president—also a former union leader—led a strong economy with conservative fiscal policies during his first mandate, and was praised for his poverty-reduction initiatives.

On Jul. 30, Lula stepped into an international controversy by offering asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. Lula declared: "If my friendship and affection for the President of Iran matters, and if this woman is causing problems there, we will welcome her here in Brazil."

The Iranian government replied by saying that Lula’s government is "influenced by Western propaganda."

The first round of Brazil’s next presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 3. Lula is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office.

Polling Data

How would you rate the performance of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president?