The contest to see who will be the next President of Brazil has already started and is focusing not on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but the rival potential candidates from the opposition PSDB party, José Serra and Geraldo Alckmin. A battle is raging between the opposing camps, with the Alckmin forces on the defensive as opinion polls show that Serra is the stronger candidate and could even unseat Lula.
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\"Fairy story\", etc. written by Guest,
February 13, 2006
I'd like to make a point about the congressional enquiries. Although they're mediocre as investigative instruments, they proved very effective mudslinging instruments. One thing that comes to my mind is that many of the PT deputies' impeachments will occur during the presidential race. I believe this should pretty much inflict a coup-de-grâce on Lula's candidacy.
Regarding Serra, I pretty much fear his lefty, CEPAL-style economics. I particularly remember his opposition to Central Bank autonomy in the 90's (this is mentioned a few times in www.gfranco.com.br). Brazil has simply had way too much in the way of lefty economics.
I also find his record as Health Minister less than impressive: the hospitals remain a mess, a situation he did essentially nothing to tackle, except for trying to push the federal hospitals to the states and cities jurisdiction. I witnessed part of this operation first-hand, and it was an utter, complete disaster.
Another faux pas I still remember was the Cervix Cancer campaign in 1994, which was 100% photo-ops. Everyone involved knew back then that there were not enough people to examine the women, process and read the slides. I had the displeasure of having the "campaign"'s farcical nature rubbed on my nose (albeit in a polite enough fashion) by an American MD during an international congress.
Serra on the Planning ministry basically presided over the monumental deficits (9%+ of GDP) used to finance FHC's reelection. Well, to sum up, I most certainly prefer Alckmin.
Finally, a minor point: Aesop's tortoise-and-hare fable isn't really a fairy story.
The contest to see who will be the next President of Brazil has already started and is focusing not on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but the rival potential candidates from the opposition PSDB party, José Serra and Geraldo Alckmin. A battle is raging between the opposing camps, with the Alckmin forces on the defensive as opinion polls show that Serra is the stronger candidate and could even unseat Lula. 
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Regarding Serra, I pretty much fear his lefty, CEPAL-style economics. I particularly remember his opposition to Central Bank autonomy in the 90's (this is mentioned a few times in www.gfranco.com.br). Brazil has simply had way too much in the way of lefty economics.
I also find his record as Health Minister less than impressive: the hospitals remain a mess, a situation he did essentially nothing to tackle, except for trying to push the federal hospitals to the states and cities jurisdiction. I witnessed part of this operation first-hand, and it was an utter, complete disaster.
Another faux pas I still remember was the Cervix Cancer campaign in 1994, which was 100% photo-ops. Everyone involved knew back then that there were not enough people to examine the women, process and read the slides. I had the displeasure of having the "campaign"'s farcical nature rubbed on my nose (albeit in a polite enough fashion) by an American MD during an international congress.
Serra on the Planning ministry basically presided over the monumental deficits (9%+ of GDP) used to finance FHC's reelection. Well, to sum up, I most certainly prefer Alckmin.
Finally, a minor point: Aesop's tortoise-and-hare fable isn't really a fairy story.