Brazil & Southern Cone - May 2009 (ISSN 1741-4431)

Lugo faces first big political test in wake of paternity allegations

President Fernando Lugo had to put the celebrations marking the first year since his election on 20 April on hold after three women accused him of fathering their children while he was serving as a bishop. In truth, Lugo had little to celebrate. He has been unable to push through the key planks of his electoral campaign – implementing land reform, combating institutionalised corruption, and renegotiating the Itaipú dam contract with Brazil to fund social welfare programmes. This is partly because of splits in his ruling coalition. These have widened since the paternity scandal undermined Lugo’s moral authority, the bedrock of his popular support. Lugo reacted by overhauling his cabinet in a bid to regain the political initiative.