hes probably going to have to face a runoff but all chances are hes going to win it since hes got 47% against 23 of his rightwing competitor jose serra. the other 2 candidates (also from the left) got 17% and 12%.

hopefully this will kickstart more leftwing revolutionary govts in latinamerica. argentinas election is just around the corner and if the left wins this will mean a strong mercosur (a free trade accord consisting of chile, brasil, argentina and uruguay) for resisting the policies and influence of the imf and other economic potencies (like the us and eu).

I hope so, at least the situation can't get much worse.

By the way, totally of topic but wouldn't it be funny if a politician used that as a slogan in his campaign... "...At least it can't get any worse!"

Well he'd get my vote. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 10-07-2002, 04:53 AM: Message edited by: Jorath Calar ]

Aren't most Latin American countries usually run by rightwingers ? Wow, this must have a big impact there. I've heard stories about crimelords trying to prevent the people from voting, they haven't been very succesful i guess.

well, actually no. you have hugo chavez in venezuela (who withstood a coup attempt a few months ago), julio lagos in chile, now lula in brasil, hopefully nestor kirchner in argentina and of course the almighty fidel in cuba! :D

it seems there is a trend for socialist or left wing govts in the region, and it is a healthy one, since usually they are the ones that put the regional interests first instead of bowing to the requirements of more powerful countries or organisations like the imf, like i said before.

I also heard that in Brazil people have to vote... it's against the law not to vote... I know it's like that also in Argentina.

So wait a minute, see if I get this straight... People could be thrown in prison for not voting? Wow.

<font color="lightblue">Same down here. </font>

<font color="lightblue">Not gaolled, fined.
Or atleast that`s how it is in Aus.</font>

yep, thats correct.

So wait a minute, see if I get this straight... People could be thrown in prison for not voting? Wow.</font>[/QUOTE]but, the penalty for not doing so is only administrative. and it doesnt even come to a fine. its a tradition that one of the first laws passed by congress after election day is a general amnesty for all those that didnt go to vote. there are also a number of justifications for not voting, like being more than 300kms away from your voting place, etc.