Brazil’s former chief of staff Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s ruling Workers’ Party presidential candidate, has a five percentage-point lead over her main rival José Serra, according to the latest opinion poll released Friday.
Rousseff gained 39% of voter support while Serra, from the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, received 34%, and former Environment minister Marina Silva from the Green Party 10%, showed a survey conducted by the Ibope Institute.
Another survey released last week showed Rousseff ahead of her rival by eight percentage points.
The same poll taken a month ago showed Rousseff and Serra tied with 39% support each.
The survey polled 2,506 voters in 174 Brazilian municipalities between July 26 and 29 and had a margin of error of two percentage points.
However a June DataFolha poll published this month by Folha de S. Paulo showed Rousseff and Serra in a technical tie: the incumbent candidate polled 36% of voter intention against 37% for former São Paulo state.
The first round of Brazilian elections is scheduled for October 3, a Sunday. If no candidate garners 50% of the ballots plus one a run-off will take place October 31, also a Sunday.
