Two weeks after his triumph, Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva's resounding electoral victory in Brazil is still raising eyebrows on the right and expectations among Latin America's long dispirited leftists. His triumph represents both the symbols and realities of today's Latin America. It symbolizes the impatience of voters who see chronic problems remain unsolved, and it highlights the pervasive belief that right-wing governments are chronically corrupt. As the fog of leftist celebration and the chorus of rightwing laments dissipate, the outlines of what Lula can and cannot do are becoming more clear.
Two weeks after his triumph, Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva's resounding electoral victory in Brazil is still raising eyebrows on the right and expectations among Latin America's long dispirited leftists. His triumph represents both the symbols and realities of today's Latin America. It symbolizes the impatience of voters who see chronic problems remain unsolved, and it highlights the pervasive belief that right-wing governments are chronically corrupt. As the fog of leftist celebration and the chorus of rightwing laments dissipate, the outlines of what Lula can and cannot do are becoming more clear.