May 03, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in Brazil are split over a hypothetical third consecutive term for Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to a poll by Instituto Sensus. 50.4 per cent of respondents would favour allowing the president to run for the highest office again, while 45.4 per cent would oppose it.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in Brazil are split over a hypothetical third consecutive term for Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to a poll by Instituto Sensus. 50.4 per cent of respondents would favour allowing the president to run for the highest office again, while 45.4 per cent would oppose it.

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— has led a strong economy with conservative fiscal policies during his first mandate and has been praised for his poverty-reduction initiatives.

Last month, Brazilian vice-president Jose Alencar declared: "The Brazilian people want Lula to stay in power." Lula dismissed being interested in a third term, saying, "I’m at ease working to make my successor. I’m working to win the election."

The next presidential election in Brazil is scheduled for 2010.

Polling Data

Would you favour or oppose allowing Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to seek a third term in office?

Favour	50.4%
Oppose	45.4%
Not sure	4.2%

Source: Instituto Sensus
Methodology: Interviews with 2,000 Brazilian adults, conducted from Apr. 21 to Apr. 25, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.