Former Environmental Minister Marina Silva, currently a senator of the Workers Party (PT) representing the Amazon state of Acre, indicated today that she is seriously considering leaving the party and running for Brazil’s presidency next year as a Green Party candidate.
Marina Silva’s candidacy would significantly alter the outlook of the October 2010 elections to choose a successor for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was reelected in 2006 and is term-limited. The former minister of the Environment left the government in 2007 in frustration after loosing a string of internal battles to Lula’s chief of staff and chosen candidate, Dilma Rousseff.
The governor of the state of São Paulo, José Serra, from the opposition Social Democratic Party (PSDB), has maintained a consisted lead of 40% in most polls. Rousseff, who has never run for elective office, is yet to reach the 20% mark on voter’s surveys. Her chances of success in 2010 depend crucially on Lula’s capacity to transfer his popularity to his preferred candidate and on party unity, which is now threatened by Marina Silva’s plan to be a candidate for the presidency.
Brazil Portal 