MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Record support for Lula da Silva and his administration

Lula da Silva enjoy his popularity

The approval rating of Brazilian President Lula da Silva and his administration soared to a record 80.3% and 71.1% during November, the highest for a Brazilian leader and his government since 1998, according to a poll from Instituto Sensus released in Brasilia.

The government's approval rating climbed from 68.8% in September, while Lula's own performance rating increased from 77.7% in September. Lula da Silva's popularity may have benefited from Brazil's economic growth after GDP expanded 6.8% in the third quarter from a year earlier, the fastest pace in four years. Sensus also asked Brazilians about the possible candidates for presidential elections in 2010 when Lula da Silva's second term is up and can't be re-elected for another immediate period. The presidential hopeful with most chances during November 2008 was Sao Paulo governor Jose Serra, with 46.5% support. Serra was defeated in 2002 by Lula da Silva but has proven a formidable adversary having recovered Brazil's most important and influential state, Sao Paulo. Runner up was Marxist Heloisa Helena Lima from the Socialism and Liberty party, which broke away from Lula da Silva's Workers Party. She figures with a 12.5% support and in third place, Dilmar Rousseff, (10.4%) currently cabinet chief and whom Lula da Silva has said would make an "ideal candidate" and follower of his policies. Sensus polled 2,000 people in 136 municipalities from December 8 to December 12. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The poll was commissioned by the National Transportation Confederation In spite of the record support political analysts point out to the fact that Latam's largest economy will lose steam this quarter as companies eliminate jobs and cut sales forecasts due to tighter credit conditions. Automakers slashed jobs in November; the country's leading mining company Cia Vale do Rio Doce sliced iron-ore output by 10% and fired 1,300 workers, while food maker Sadia SA delayed plans to build a 700 million-real facility in Santa Catarina state. More over Morgan Stanley predicts Brazil's economy may not grow at all next year.