Brazil Presidential Poll Shows Challenger Widening Lead

By Anna Edgerton and Christiana Sciaudone Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Brazilian presidential candidate Aecio Neves speaks at a press conference in Rio de... Read More

Opposition candidate Aecio Neves has a clear lead over Brazil President Dilma Rousseff, according to a survey of voter support for the second round of voting.
Neves would have 52.4 percent of votes in the Oct. 26 runoff, compared to 36.7 percent for Rousseff, according to a poll published today on the website of IstoE magazine. The survey of 2,000 people in 24 municipalities Oct. 7-10 has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.
Rousseff is seeking re-election as Brazil’s economy stagnates and inflation surpasses the 6.5 percent upper limit of the central bank’s target range. While her e
conomic team says growth continues to be compromised by the global financial crisis, Neves says government policies have undermined consumer and investor confidence.
Two separate polls last week by Ibope and Datafolha showed the candidates statistically tied, with Neves leading by 51 percent to 49 percent. Brazilian stocks fell 3.42 percent yesterday, the most among global stock indexes, as investors doubted Neves’ chances of ousting Rousseff.