WHAT: Brazilian presidential elections
WHO: Fernando Henrique Cardoso (the first re-elected president
in Brazil); Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (the left-wing candidate)
WHERE: Brazil
WHEN: Officially through 07/06/98-10/01/98 (the entire process
runs from 03/98 to 01/98)
Background & Summary
Mr. Cardoso was first elected as the Brazilian president four years ago, and was widely credited with stabilizing rampant inflation. In the 1998 presidential elections, he defeated his rival again, the left wing candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and won his second term in power. He is also the first reelected president in the Brazilian history.
Topic Explication
This topic focuses on the Brazilian presidential elections from 03/98 to 01/99. The main rivals are the president Fernando Henrique Cardoso and the left wing candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. On-topic stories include electional campaigns, voting, scandals of the candidates revealed in the elections, the election results and ceremonies of inauguration. Note* In this presidential elections, economical crisis in Brazil and the knock-on effects of the financial turmoil in Russia and East Asia are key issues discussed by candidates during the electional campaigns. The stories of their debates on these issues are on topic IF related to electional campaigns. e.g. The austerity measures which Cardoso has taken, including high interest rates and public spending cuts, were bitterly criticized by the main left-wing opposition candidate, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in his public address in the electional campaigns.
Timeline:
03/09/98- The largest political party in Brazil, the centrist Democratic Movement, or PMDB, decided to back President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in his bid to be re-elected in the presidential election in October. The PMDB's endorsement of Mr. Cardoso meant he gained the support of all the country's centrist and right-wing parties.
06/03/98- Three Brazilian members of parliament-- Osmir Lima, Zilla Bezerra and Chicao Brigido -- were accused of receiving money in 1997 to support a bill allowing President Fernando Henrique Cardoso to run for reelection in 1998.
06/07/98- The Brazilian President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and his Social Democracy party stepped up his re-election campaign after the latest opinion polls showed him running neck and neck with the left-wing candidate, Luiz Inacio da Silva.
06/13/98- The Brazilian President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, begun legal action against his main rival Luiz Inacio da Silva in next October's presidential election for slander. Luiz Inacio Lula da accused the president of trying to obtain campaign contributions by privatizing the telecommunication sector at rock-bottom prices.
06/21/98- Fernando Henrique Cardoso received official backing from three parties ahead of his campaign for re-election later this year.
07/06/98- Campaigning for Brazilian presidential elections in October begins officially today. For the first time, the incumbent President and state governors were allowed to run for re-election.
07/08/98- The main left-wing candidate in Brazil's presidential election, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, outlined his manifesto on the first official day of campaigning for October's poll. He promised to make job creation his top priority making sure each child receives a basic education and to end hunger and illiteracy.
08/18/98- Cardoso and his main rival in October's presidential election, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, begun campaigning in earnest -- with the first in a series of election broadcasts on national radio and television.
09/28/98- The two main opposition candidates in the presidential election in Brazil joined forces to attack President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and condemn what they said was the pro-government bias in the media. Lula da Silva and Ciro Gomes complained that they were overlooked by the Brazilian media.
10/01/98- Candidates in Brazil's general election wrapped up their last day of official campaigning.
10/03/98- Voting began in Brazil's General Election with the current President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, expected to win a second term in power.
10/04/98- Fernando Enrique Cardoso's apparent re-election in Brazil was welcomed by international leaders from countries such as Argentina, Portugal and the United States.
10/05/98- Cardoso was reelected Brazilian president.
10/07/98- In his first public address since his reelection, Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso said he was determined to do everything necessary to deal with the country's financial crisis.
10/25/98- More than 60 million Brazilians are due to go to the polls on Sunday in a second and final round of voting for state governors. Results from the second round of voting for state governors in Brazil show a strong performance by candidates from the centre-left.
12/23/98- Fernando Henrique Cardoso appointed the first minister of his new government.
01/01/99- President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil swore in for a second term at the start of a year. In his inaugural address, the President acknowledged that his first term had had both successes and failures and pledged to do everything in his power to reduce Brazil's notorious social inequalities.
lijing@unagi.cis.upenn.edu