Brazil's Neves Long-Shot For Presidency
While Brazil's financial sector would like to see social democrat Aecio Neves as president, voters are less keen and opinion polls give the senator and former state governor little hope.
Former congressman Neves, the grandson of a former president, is scion of a political dynasty stretching back decades, but recent polls put him 22 points behind left-wing incumbent Dilma Rousseff.
Even environmentalist challenger Marina Silva is better placed ahead of Sunday's first round voting, and Neves is unlikely to make the run off next month.
Neves' grandfather Tancredo Neves was chosen as president in 1985 on Brazil's return to democracy following 21 years of military rule, but he died before taking office.
Now another death may have thwarted the younger Neves' ambitions.
Silva replaced Eduardo Campos as the Socialist Party candidate six weeks ago after the latter was killed in an air crash, and now her unexpected challenge seems to have sunk Neves' campaign.
The 54-year-old economist earned his political spurs as governor of the southeastern state of Minas Gerais and has a reputation as a solid pair of hands but also a charming operator.
Neves joined his grandfather's campaigns in Minas Gerais aged only 20 and by 1987 had his owns eat on the state legislature, beginning a rapid political rise.
He still has the support of former president and fellow social democrat Fernando Henrique.
Neves -- whose former-model second wife gave him twins earlier this year -- has kept up a constant barrage of criticism of Rousseff's economic performance.
Brazil is in recession and has endured sluggish growth since 2011 amid inflation pressures.
Neves also accused Rousseff and Workers Party (PT) predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of frightening off investors and of "demonizing" the idea of public-private partnership.
Neves' Social Democrats (PSDB) have been the PT's major rivals during the latter's 11 years in government.
"We must regain investor confidence. We shall show we are interested in linking up with the private sector," said Neves.
Neves backs central bank independence, which Rousseff opposes.
"For health and education to improve we must pursue a different economic course," he insists.
Neves says Marina's campaign is "incoherent" and points to his stewardship of Minas Gerais, Brazil's second most populous state, as proof of his abilities.
Yet still he looks set to trail in well behind Rousseff and Silva.
Source: Agence France Presse
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