Brazil has become one of the major global economic countries. The country now represents a significant portion of all South American wealth, and has one of the world's fastest growing GDP rates. In addition, throughout this development, they have been led by one of the more enigmatic Presidents, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula da Silva was born in 1945 into a poor family of 8 children. When he was young he started selling peanuts on the street and later did many different jobs. In 1978 he became a leader of the Steel Workers ' Union and demonstrated his ability to negotiate with opponents and to be a leader.

In 1982 he founded the Workers' Party, a left-wing party with progressive ideas. The first time "Lula" ran for president was in 1989. He failed 3 times before succeeding to Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 2002.
When he was elected rich Brazilians and western leaders were worried, fearing an anti-capitalist policy and a rapprochement with sulfurousrelieved Hugo Chavez, but they were quickly .

“He has actually been quite conservative,” said Eduardo Lins da Silva, a journalist. “He did not follow all of the PT policies, and managed to maintain their support. He kept talking like a leftist leader, but he didn't act like one.”

The man, himself a rags-to-riches story, presides over a country that has become a global leader. Da Silva, or 'Lula' to ordinary Brazilians, is a household name and treasure amongst a majority of Brazilians.

More than 19 million people have been lifted out of poverty, the minimum wage was increased, inflation brought under control and all in all, Brazil is a significantly better country that is was. Recently, Da Silva, whose second and final term ends in October 2010, has seen his country grow throughout the global recession due to a banking system that escaped the credit crisis and strong industrial and agricultural exports.

The President also reinforced the Brazilian position internationally. Not only did he land the 2016 world Olympics for Rio, a city which desperately needs a reason for substantial redevelopment, but he has also acted as a mediator on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and represents the only South American country in the G20.

Yet, nothing in life is without its silver lining. A lot of systemic problems he inherited still exist, such as child malnutrition, adult alcoholism among aboriginals.Crime is still rampant in the country, the Amazon continues to be illegally depleted and logged, and a fair percentage of Brazilians live below the poverty line. Da Silva is seen by opponents as a sort of showman. The up and coming middle class has noticed that much of his work on camera is an act and they do not approve. Confusion and fear grow as Da Silva feels he is set to change the world, and not just change Brazil.

Lula's Brazil is a complex country - in one way a growing global power, but in others an insecure giant trying to fight historical problems, such as crime and a lack of social welfare.

With an election next year and Olympic preparations on the go, Brazil will continue to change, surprise and probably infuriate many under this hero's presidency. This doesn't mean Da Silva has not been a successful President because he has. But things could go downhill anytime from now.

By Shain

Le président brésilien Inacio Lula da Silva vient d'être élu « Homme de l'année » par le journal le Monde. Sous sa présidence, le Brésil est redevenu une grande puissance mondiale. (A écouter en V.O. (cliquez sur le fichier MP3) à la fin de l'article. A noter également qu’en passant votre souris sur les mots en italique, ces derniers apparaissent traduits en surimpression.

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