Dilma Rousseff Reelection and the Brazilian World Cup Conundrum

The World Cup has presented a new set of challenges for President Dilma Rousseff´s Workers´ Party government. With her reelection up for this October, it may not be a matter of a Brazilian victory at the World Cup, but rather how Rousseff´s government reacts to protestors and economic conditions.

With inflation over 6% and 16% of the population living below the poverty line, Rousseff's administration has been criticized for spending $12 billion on revamping FIFA stadiums and transportation infrastructure for the football matches.

In turn, the World Cup is expected to bring in $50 billion to the Brazilian economy, and generated 3.63 million jobs this year, mostly temporary.

Despite this numbers, a Pew Center report revealed that 61% of Brazilian voters were against hosting the World Cup, believing that this money would have been better utilized in funding social programs. According to the Rio de Janeiro-based consulting firm Unicarioca, only 55% of Brazilians are rooting for the national team, while the rest is protesting national economic policies.

Regarding home team support, Rousseff said Brazil’s football team “represents our nationality. It’s above governments, parties and any interest group... Yesterday, today and always, the Brazilian people love and trust in our ‘Seleção.’

In the opening ceremonies, the Brazilian President was heckled by crowds and targeted during anti-government chants.

She responded saying verbal insults were nothing compared to what she endured in the dictatorship. As a member of the left-wing resistance, she was tortured and imprisoned for three years. Speaking of this period, Rousseff said, “What I had to endure was not verbal aggression, but physical aggression.”

Reflecting on the 1970 World Cup, which took place in the midst of a violent and repressive dictatorship, she said, “Me and my cell mates never had any doubts and all of us cheered for Brazil, because soccer is above politics.”

While the country is no longer under the clutches of a military dictatorship, repression continues. There are currently an estimated 150,000 soldiers keeping protestors away from stadiums, and police brutality has gained international coverage.

James Green, a Brazilianist professor at Brown University said, “If Brazil loses or if there are problems in the logistics of the World Cup, or if there [is] repression of protesters questioning the spending … that reflects badly on the federal government... In that context, if things go well, it will strengthen [Rousseff’s] chances.”

Historically, wins and losses of the World Cup have not greatly impacted Brazilian presidential elections. When Brazil did not make it to the finals in South Africa in 2010, the Workers´ Party of former President Luiz Ignacio da Silva (Lula) was reelected with Dilma Rousseff. With the Workers´ Party now governing for the past 12 years, widespread discontent with public expenditures might lead to a changeover in power.

In office since October 2010, Rousseff´s approval ratings dropped from 43 percent at the end of last year to 34 percent this June.

Candidates gaining momentum behind the president in the polls are Aecio Neves, a senator and head of the Party of Brazilian Social Democracy, and Eduardo Campos, the leader of the Brazilian Socialist Party. Candidates must be elected with 51 percent of the vote before going into a runoff election.

The size and magnitude of the event has sharply increased since the country last hosted the World Cup in 1950, as then it featured 13 teams, playing 22 games in six stadiums. The 2014 FIFA World Cup has on its roster 32 teams, playing 64 matches in 12 stadiums. There are on average 49,670 spectators per match.

The winner of five World Cup titles, Brazil is historically one of the most unequal countries in Latin America.