30 years of the Workers’ Party: Growth and changes in party preference. The impact on the 2010 elections

Abstract

This paper describes the changes in public preference for the Brazilian Worker’s Party (PT) between 1987 and 2010. It is focused on the socio-demographic changes in public opinion felt in this period. It is clear that public preference for the Worker’s Party not only tripled, it also changed substantially its social-demographic profile. It no longer is disproportionately young as well as reversed the regional unbalance which marked its beginning and now has a much more wide support. This increase in popularity is seen as related to its growing legitimacy as the other Parties lost support. This process contributed to Lula’s victory for Presidency in 2002, and it was stressed in 2006 as observed by retrospective voting. The paper concludes that identification with the Party is an important positive differential for PT`s candidacies in 2010 election, including Dilma Rousseff.