Brazil: Unwilling Opposition

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When President Humberto Castello Branco last year abolished Brazil's 13 squabbling political parties and replaced them with a two-party system, he had not imagined just how difficult it would be to form an opposition. Almost no body wanted to join the out-of-power party, but Castello Branco finally man aged to recruit 164 reluctant Congress men into MODEBRAS (Brazilian Democratic Movement) as a loyal opposition to his ARENA (National Renovation Alliance). But Castello Branco's efforts may have been in vain. Last week, as it held its first national convention, MODEBRAS refused to oppose.

What bothers MODEBRAS most is next October's indirect presidential election. ARENA'S candidate, former War Minister Artur da Costa e Silva, seems certain to win, since the balloting will take place in Congress where the government party has a large majority. MODEBRAS demands direct nationwide balloting for the presidency, but ARENA is not yet prepared to put its popularity to such a test. As a result, the opposition has decided to embarrass Castello Branco by refusing to enter a presidential candidate. Says one MODEBRAS member: "Any sort of opposition candidacy would help the government present itself, particularly abroad, as what it is not."