Brazil: Promises of more change – But in which direction?

On 26 October 2014, almost 142 million voters will elect Brazil's president for the next four years. The elections take place against a backdrop of economic stagnation and widespread discontent with inadequate public services and the political system, highlighted by social protests in 2013. After a decade of economic and social progress, and a parallel rise in the country's global stature, the sustainability of the country's last two decades of achievements is increasingly questioned. Facing these challenges, all major political forces have advocated 'change' in the run-up to the October elections. There are strong expectations that the government that takes over on 1 January 2015 will initiate a new phase in Brazil's social, economic and political development. The new government will have to address demands to renew the political system and to implement reforms to make the economy more competitive and capable of generating the growth needed to continue improving social conditions.

European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/

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