Kellogg Newsletter Spring 2006

When a spate of accusations against Brazil's Worker's Party (PT) surfaced last June, many wondered whether the PT and its charismatic founder, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, had finally succumbed to the temptations of political power.

The real story seems to have more to do with the immensely fragmented party system and the need to assemble broad coalitions. Still, the scandal holds profound implications for a party that had long been seen as the standard-bearers of clean government in Brazil.

"I don't think the PT will ever be the same," said WENDY HUNTER, a 2004-05 visiting fellow and associate professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin. "The party's image and reputation as being ‘above politics as usual' has taken an irreparable hit."

In June 2005, Roberto Jefferson, then-president of the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB) who was under investigation for corruption involving the state-run postal service, accused the PT of offering bribes to members of Congress in ex change for support of the PT's legislative agenda.

Jefferson claimed that PTB members had been offered bribes but rejected them.