The Brazil 100 project

In partnership with the Wilson Center’s Brazil Institute, The Brazilian Report is proud to launch the Brazil 100 project, which will analyze the challenges and actions of the Lula government in its first 100 days.

The first 100 days are a symbolic landmark in international politics, making use of a reference that dates back to early 19th-century France. The expression “Les Cent Jours” referred to the period between Napoleon’s escape from exile — which drove Louis XVIII away from Paris — and his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. 

It entered modern politics in the 1930s as a yardstick to measure the early success of a government, after the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration used it to characterize the special congressional session the president called to pass the New Deal.

Today, it is commonly understood that the first 100 days are a period during which a new president has sufficient goodwill from political forces and voters to enact their agenda. But this “honeymoon” period has become shorter and shorter, particularly in Latin America. New administrations have seen their approval ratings plunge after failing to deliver quick results.

In Brazil, Lula will face multiple challenges, taking over a country that has posted sluggish economic growth and saw millions drop below the poverty line. His Workers’ Party has historically supported using government funds to boost economic activity — but resources at his disposal will be scarce.

Meanwhile, Lula will also be tasked with rebuilding Brazil’s international image, heavily dented due to the recent rise in deforestation rates. The leftist icon — who governed between 2003 and 2010 — has committed to seeking zero deforestation in the Amazon, making Brazil’s energy matrix net-zero, and implementing low-carbon agriculture.

All that in an already deeply-divided country. In 2010, Lula left office with approval ratings above 80 percent. He is not expected to achieve similar popularity figures this time around, and pressure from conservative sectors may keep him at bay if his administration fails to deliver immediate results.

In Brazil, the first 100 days bring extra complexity as it is also the period during which a new Congress will take office and elect its leaders. How fast Lula will be able to put his agenda into motion may well hinge on who gets the main positions of power in the Legislative branch.

Contents:

• January 1: Inauguration live broadcast. Members of The Brazilian Report and the Brazil Institute discuss the challenges facing Lula.
• January 5: The education challenge. The northeastern state of Ceará is a successful education case study, performing admirably despite adverse socioeconomic conditions — the Lula government may seek to replicate the model nationwide.
• January 12: Unity and division. Though the vast majority of Brazilians opposed pro-Bolsonaro radicals destroying the seats of government branches in Brasília, a recent poll shows that a significant part of society still believes the election was rigged.
• January 19: Amazon and deforestation. After a bemusing suspension under Jair Bolsonaro, Lula has brought back the Amazon Fund and is keen on gathering new donations in the government’s quest to slash deforestation figures
• January 26: Latin America. During trips to Argentina and Uruguay, Lula sought to restore Brazil’s role as a regional leader, a plan he began in 2003. But Latin America has changed a lot since then
• February 15: Lula ❤️ Biden (podcast). The meeting between Lula and Joe Biden laid bare the points on which the two leaders share common goals, such as the environment and the fight against the far-right … and also those on which they disagree
• February 28: The gig economy. The Brazilian government is setting up a committee to discuss and propose new legislation capable of guaranteeing a minimum of rights to gig workers. Companies like Uber and iFood will also have seats at the table
• March 7: Social media and disinformation. The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp says it is not to blame for the spread of disinformation on social media before the January 8 riots.
• March 9: Public safety. Deadly violence in Brazil remains disturbingly high. And an improvement in recent homicide figures has much more to do with changing criminal dynamics than tough-on-crime policies
• March 21: AI regulation. A committee of experts presented the Senate with a comprehensive study on AI regulation for the country. But proposals haven’t advanced in the Senate.
• March 30: Fiscal framework. The new fiscal rules presented by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad seek to avoid hindering investment in key areas such as health and education

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