MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil’s incumbent presidential candidate takes the lead over main rival

Ms Rousseff apparently leads voter-intention for next October

Brazil's ruling Workers' Party presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff, has a five percentage-point lead over her main rival Jose 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 Marin Silva from the Green Party 10%, showed a survey conducted by 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 Sao Paulo showed Rousseff and Serra in a technical tie: the incumbent candidate polled 36% of voter intention against 37% for former Sao Paulo state.

The first round of Brazilian elections is scheduled for October 3. If no candidate garners 50% of the ballots plus one a run-off will take place October 31.