Challenges Ahead for Brazil’s First Female President

Sunday, October 31st was a historic day in Brazil, as Dilma Rousseff of the ruling Workers Party (PT) was elected as the country’s first female president. Rousseff was catapulted to electoral success following the public endorsement of the wildly popular President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Early polls suggested that Rousseff would win without the need for a second round of voting, but following allegations of corruption within her party and the unexpected success of Green Party candidate Marina Silva, she failed to reach the necessary 50 percent of votes in the first round. Ultimately, last Sunday’s run-off election saw Rousseff overcome the established Brazilian politician and leader of the Social Democracy Party (PSDB), José Serra, with Rousseff winning a convincing 56 percent of the vote. Though she has worked in government as Lula’s energy minister and, more recently, as his chief of staff, the presidency will be Rousseff’s first time in an elected position.

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