Brazilian Leftists Gain in Municipal Elections

SAO PAULO, Brazil — A leftist became mayor of Brazil’s largest city Wednesday after nationwide municipal elections that strengthened the standing of the left just a year before a crucial vote for president.

Leftists also won in Rio de Janeiro, the nation’s second-largest city, in the elections held Tuesday. Social Democrats were leading in Belo Horizonte, the third-largest city.

In Sao Paulo, Luiza Erundina, 53, a social worker belonging to the leftist Workers’ Party, narrowly defeated millionaire businessman Paulo Maluf, who was linked politically to the military dictators who ran Brazil from 1964 to ’85. Erundina becomes the first woman mayor of Brazil’s largest city.

The Sao Paulo stock market dropped 6.1% Wednesday on the news.

More than 70 million Brazilians, bound by law to vote, cast ballots for mayors and city councils in 4,307 municipalities.

Political analysts said the Workers’ Party rise was the most significant outcome of the elections. The 8-year-old party, which grew out of the Sao Paulo trade union movement, apparently gathered support from Brazilians unhappy about the relentless rise in prices. Inflation is now a record 700%, and the center-right government of President Jose Sarney is very unpopular.

The election was viewed as an important indicator of party popularity as Brazil prepares for presidential elections in 1989.

Brazil returned to civilian rule in 1985 after 21 years of dictatorship. But many fear that the economic crisis and lack of leadership in the capital city of Brasilia could jeopardize the young democracy.