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Article: Lula's tormentor; Brazil.(Lula's awkward ally)(Severino Cavalcanti)(Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- April 9, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Brazil's president is being undermined by an awkward ally
HE HATES homosexuality, stores his money in cash and is now the chief tormentor of Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Severino Cavalcanti, who in February defeated a government-backed candidate to become president of Congress's lower house, foiled the government again on March 31st by forcing it to withdraw a tax increase that would have fallen mainly on professionals and farmers. Taxpayers cheered the rough-hewn provincial from the poor north-eastern state of Pernambuco; the government scrambled to persuade doubters that it was still in control of Congress.
Mr Cavalcanti's rise poses ...