Weekly Report - 8 February 2007

Two allies of President Lula da Silva were elected on 1 February to lead the two chambers of congress. The congressional leadership contest, however, was as divisive as expected. In essence the results in the senate and the lower chamber of congress signalled that there will be a repetition of the conflicts that undermined Lula's first administration. In order to hold his "coalition" together Lula will be compelled to find positions in the government for all of his allies.