Canning House is delighted to host HM Ambassador to Brazil, Alex Ellis for a talk on Brazil and prospects for the forthcoming elections.
October 2014 sees a presidential election in Brazil and investors will be keeping a close eye on the potential outcomes, which have become far less certain over the past few weeks. Despite frustration with sluggish economic performance, up until recently the incumbent Dilma Rousseff maintained a reasonably healthy lead in the polls. However, the recent tragic death of presidential candidate Eduardo Campos and the nomination of Marina Silva on the PSB ticket has significantly changed the dynamic of the presidential race in South America's largest economy. Recent polls show Silva in second place with 21 percent support, 1 point ahead of market favourite Aécio Neves of the PSDB. Although this places her 15 percentage points below Rousseff, there is a real possibility she could win in the second round.
Alex Ellis will present his views on the presidential race and discuss the potential policy implications of the various possible outcomes. As British Ambassador, Alex will be able to offer a unique perspective on how the election may affect the business climate and also wider UK-Brazil relations.