Brazil Election Results to be Determined by Green Party

In Brazil’s presidential elections, Dilma Rousseff failed to secure the 50 percent majority during Sunday’s first round.

The former Marxist (leftist) rebel and ruling party candidate took over 46 percent of the votes, narrowly missing out on becoming Brazil’s first female president.

Meanwhile opposition candidate Social Democrat Jose Serra got 32 percent and Green Party candidate Marina Silva scored 19 percent.

Silva is a renowned rainforest activist and former rubber-tapper, hailing from the Amazon state of Acre.

Thus the Green Party now holds control of the situation while it convenes to decide which candidate to back in the second round run-off at the end of the month.

Green Party director Alfredo Sirkis described it as a “spectacular result,” allowing the Greens to force debate on environmental issues including changes to the forestry code and the nation’s stance on climate change.

"We understand the anxiety of both candidates. The fact is that it will be a process of 15 days," he told Reuters.

Rousseff appears hopeful of a win, despite a recent corruption scandal and her controversial views on abortion in a largely Catholic country. The 62-year-old has the strong backing of hugely popular President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who chose her as his former cabinet chief to manage Brazil’s burgeoning economy.

Lula was elected in 2002 and described the time to the run-off for Rousseff as another “30 days to fight.” However, commentators have suggested many Silva supporters may transfer to Serra, according to the Guardian.