While much has been made of Brazil’s economic downturn, a toxic political climate is equally responsible for the current woes of President Dilma Rousseff and her government. Mauricio Savarese looks at the complex backdrop to the crisis. By Mauricio Savarese São Paulo There is no easy explanation as to why, just under a year after being reelected by a narrow margin,(…)
Arquivo - Tag: Lula
The World Cup and politics – a love story
In the wake of the tragedy at the stadium to host the opening match in 2014 (pictured above), Mauricio Savarese speculates on the political logic behind the selection of the 12 host cities. By Mauricio Savarese “Who are the most powerful governors and mayors in Brazil?” Back in 2008, that was a strange question to ask someone(…)
Brazil 2012 – year in review
This year, the country didn’t deliver on everything international observers thought the country had promised, but Brazil still remains one of the 21st century’s most remarkable success stories. 2013 could be decisive. For those paying attention to Brazil headlines, 2012 was mostly a bad year. For some, it was enough to re-evaluate the status as(…)
Last weekend’s municipal elections – win for Lula, and a messier party system
Fernando Haddad, Lula and Dilma’s man, will run São Paulo. But across the country, the sprawling multi-party system became even more complicated. By last Sunday every city in Brazil had selected a new mayor. This will affect everyone here differently, as they will be governed at the local level by one of the 19 –(…)
The northeast is back
Walk around Rio or São Paulo these days, and it’s easy to feel the economic boom Brazil has been enjoying this century. But what region of Latin America’s largest country has done the best? The Northeast. In the last decade, the traditionally poor Northeastern states have grown four times as fast as the richer areas(…)
Lula is back – cancer cured
This is great news for the fans of one of Brazil’s most beloved politicians. After 5 months of treatment, the former president posted a video yesterday saying his cancer was in “complete remission”, and that he will be returning to political life. Above is his video, in Portuguese, but here is a(…)
Modern Brazilian politics, as performed by samba dancers
I’m reporting from the Carnival of Recife, in Pernambuco – but more on that later. Before I left São Paulo, I caught a striking take on the samba parade. Former President Lula is in treatment for cancer, so he could not march this year with Gaviões da Fiel, the samba school associated with Corinthians, his(…)
