Public support for Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is still high in the last year of his tenure, according to a poll by Ibope. 76 per cent of respondents approve of the president’s performance, down seven points since November.
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 Feb. 23, Lula called for the United Nations (UN) to acknowledge Argentina’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, declaring, “What is the explanation for the United Nations never having that decision? It is not possible that Argentina is not the owner while England is, despite being 14,000 km away. (…) Is it possible that Britain can do everything and while others can do nothing? We need to start pushing so that the UN re-opens this debate.”
In 1982, Argentina took control of the British-held Falkland Islands—or Islas Malvinas—claiming sovereignty over the territory. A four-month military conflict ended with a victory for British forces.
The first round of Brazil’s next presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2010.