Brazil’s elections in 2014 – an attempt to summarize

Abstract

Brazil’s elections held in 2014 were some kind of test for the office of the President and the policies pursued by Dilma Rousseff. In 2011, when she took office, the state recorded high economic indicators, successful social programmes were introduced and its position in the international relations increased. However, during her first term of office, the Brazilian economy was affected by the consequences of the economic crisis. The result of that situation was a decline in living standards and also a drop in support for the President as well as for the Workers’ Party. In the current term of office the President faces many challenges: economic stimulation, struggle against corruption, electoral reform and strengthening the role of Brazil as a regional power. The reforms of the electoral system are important in the context of strengthening democracy. The results of the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014 show the necessity to answer some questions. Firstly, how will the efficiency and effectiveness of the policies defined by Dilma Rousseff look like in the current term of office? Secondly, how will political reforms affect Brazil’s political system?