The Contender

Brazil’s main opposition party, PSDB, has finally picked a contender for the presidential race: São Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin. He was nominated after Sao Paulo Mayor Jose Serra withdrew from the race. Alckmin, 53, is the current governor of São Paulo State. He studied but never practiced medicine, becoming instead a professional politician at age 19.

Alkmin has been depicted by media as a non charismatic but efficient free marketer. His campaign is expected to leverage a recent corruption case involving the ruling party (PT). Pre-nomination polls show him losing a runoff by 18 points to incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Election Day is October 1 with an eventual second round scheduled for October 29.