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Brazilians Keep Positive Views on the Economy
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Brazil believe their domestic economy will perform well in 2009, according to a poll by Instituto Sensus. 27.7 per cent of respondents expect the Brazilian economy to grow a lot next year, while 43.5 per cent believe it will grow slightly.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva—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.
This year, Brazil has experienced a new oil boom, due to high crude prices and several new exploration projects off the country’s coast.
On Dec. 22, Lula urged citizens to spend more after the domestic economy experienced a slight slowdown, saying, "Don’t be afraid of consuming with responsibility. If you have debts, try to balance your budget. But if you have money and want to buy a refrigerator, an oven or change your car, don’t give up your dream fearing the future."
Polling Data
In 2009, do you expect the Brazilian economy to grow?
|
It will grow a lot |
27.7% |
|
It will grow slightly |
43.5% |
|
It will not grow |
19.7% |
|
Not sure |
9.2% |
Source: Instituto Sensus
Methodology: Interviews with 2,000 Brazilian adults, conducted from Dec. 8 to Dec. 12, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.