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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Leftist Workers' party seeks tighter grip on Brazil at the polls |
| 2004-10-01 |
| Before the ruling Workers' party begins its rally in S'o Paulo's Ipiranga neighbourhood, campaign co-ordinators rehearse applause with the crowd for the television cameras about to roll. Rap music and pep talks are followed by a hurried, 10-minute speech by Marta Suplicy, the mayor seeking re-election. After fireworks and confetti, Ms Suplicy is whisked off to her next event even before the "real" entertainment - a folk concert - starts. The slick photo opportunity is a far cry from the heartfelt gatherings with which the leftwing Workers' party (PT) made its debut on the political landscape only two decades ago. After the resounding presidential election victory ofLuiz Inäcio Lula da Silvain 2002, the PT is trying to broaden its grip on power in municipal elections on Oct ober 3. The elections are dominated by local issues but the results will be seen as an assessment of Mr Lula da Silva and his orthodox economic policy. In such a vast country, mayors are not only essential for implementing central government policy but could be crucial to the president's likely re-election bid in two years. "We want to consolidate the PT way of governing and legislating - with responsibility and popular participation," says Gleber Naime, a PT national director. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |