The 2006 Brazilian presidential elections: a preliminary analysis.

Abstract

This paper seeks to analyze the 2006 presidential elections. Initially, we present a description of the process through which candidacies were put together. This is followed by an evaluation of the electoral campaigns of the main candidates. In the section that follows, we analyze the associations that can be made between voter’s intended choices and a series of socio-economic and political variables. The article concludes by proposing that the election was of a primarily plebiscitary character, in terms of support for or disapproval of President Lula. The primarily positive evaluation of the results of the social and economic policy of the Lula government (particularly on the part of the poorest segments of society) ended up prevailing over the wear and tear brought about by accusations of government corruption. The process through which the other parties defined their candidacies, and the nature of Lula’s own campaign, better than that of his adversaries, were factors that reinforced the president’s already existing advantage. Keywords: presidential elections; electoral behavior; evaluation of presidential administration.