Key Cardoso Ally Wins a Brazil Runoff
An austerity program for staving off a financial crisis got a boost Sunday when voters reelected a key ally of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in Brazil’s most important state.
With 96% of the vote counted, Sao Paulo state Gov. Mario Covas was the apparent winner with 56% of the vote. Two-time former Gov. Paulo Maluf had 44%.
The race in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s wealthiest and most populous state, was the most closely watched of the gubernatorial runoff elections in 12 states and the Federal District.
Cardoso needs supporters in major states to help rein in spending and pressure Congress to pass budgetary reforms he is expected to announce Tuesday. Covas’ victory was seen as a tremendous boost for Cardoso as he tries to lift Brazil out of its economic slump.
Cardoso suffered setbacks, however, in other important states.
In Rio de Janeiro, with all votes counted, Anthony Garotinho, a radio announcer of the center-left Democratic Labor Party, was elected with 58% of the vote. His opponent, former Rio Mayor Cesar Maia, a Cardoso ally, had 42%.
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