Sea change in Brazil
Momentous events took place in Brazil on October 6 during the first round of elections for President, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The left made historic progress. The results "clearly show that the Brazilian people understood that the present path trodden by the country is disastrous and that they are willing to change the policies imposed by the government of President Cardoso", says a statement issued by the Communist Party of Brazil (CPB). "The people intend to build a new destiny of national dignity, participation in decisions regarding the country and new political methods. Cardoso's economic orientation favoured a minority that profited with high interest rates and speculation involving our currency", says the statement. The current situation of severe economic crisis created a basis for the broadening of the political and social alliance that saw the victory of Lula, a candidate supported by the left and the opposition to the present government of Cardoso. The second round of elections will take place on October 27. If Lula wins the Presidency in the second round it will mean a tremendous victory for the Brazilian people who are eager for a change that they hope will bring jobs, wider democracy and participation for the majority of people. "We are going through a period of qualitative change in our country. Brazilians voted for a change of direction concerning the country and for the adoption of new political methods. Lula, waiving the Brazilian flag, represents the desired change — he is the only candidate able to unite the country around a project of sovereignty, democracy, development and social justice", said Renato Rabelo, President of the CPB after the first round results came in. "It is a common feeling in the streets that the government of Cardoso has betrayed the people. It surrendered to the financial circles and showed disregard for social matters. Along with dissatisfaction of the direction chosen for the country, the demand for renovation of political methods has increased. Along with the growth of the opposition and the decline of the status quo, the defeat of several traditional conservative politicians was also noticeable", Mr Rabelo said. A victory for Lula on October 27 will not please international capital. The New York Times admitted that Lula got the vote of millions who were harmed by the so-called free market reforms. The NYT wrote "such an impoverished majority put Hugo Chavez into power in Venezuela and seems likely to be a major force in next year's Argentine presidential election". The New York Times states the obvious by saying that Lula's victory will, not cheer up the Bush administration, Brazil's foreign investors or the business community, since "his campaign made clear his continued opposition to many of the American-backed economic reforms Brazil has carried out in recent years as well as his sharp disagreement with Washington's policies on Cuba and Colombia". Brazilians know that the US government will not passively watch the events in Brazil without trying to interfere and support their friends in high places. The Communist Party of Brazil summed up the immediate situation: "Lula's candidacy must unite all opposing forces and political sectors interested in a new direction in order to gain victory. Our flag is one of change and Lula is the only candidate [who can] gather Brazilians around a new project for a sovereign Brazil, a democratic country with development and social justice. The Communist Party will keep on making efforts to broaden the Lula for President front and will work for the creation of a vast electoral civic movement — we are all for Lula!" Lula received 39 4 million votes or 46.4 percent of the valid votes in the first round. The CPB received 1.9 million votes for candidates for the House or Representatives representing 2.25 percent of the total. In the Senate it polled 6.1 million votes. All up the CPB received 9.2 million votes for senators, federal and state representatives.