Brazil-U.S. Relations
Abstract
On January 1, 2007, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, of the leftist Workers' Party (PT), was inaugurated for a second four-year term as President of Brazil. Lula was re-elected in the second round of voting with fairly broad popular support. His immediate tasks were to boost Brazil's lagging economic growth and address the issues of crime, violence, and poverty. Despite President Lula's personal popularity, many predicted that inter-party rivalries within his governing coalition would make it hard for him to push his agenda through Brazil's fractured legislature. President Lula has enjoyed high approval ratings and benefitted from a strong economy throughout most of his second term. The global financial crisis, however, has slowed Brazil's economic growth and is threatening to erase the social gains made in recent years. President Lula has implemented countercyclical policies to boost the economy and protect those most exposed to the effects of the economic downturn. A number of analysts believe it is unlikely that the Brazilian Congress will act on Lula's stalled legislative agenda given the need to address the effects of the financial crisis and the political parties' increased focus on the October 2010 presidential election.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 03, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501487
Entities
People
- Clare R. Seelke
- Peter J. Meyer
Organizations
- Library of Congress