workers party flag @ brasília. since 1988, workers party has grown in popularity on national stage winning elections in many of largest brazilian cities, such são paulo, fortaleza, belo horizonte, porto alegre, , goiânia, in important states, such rio grande sul, espírito santo, , federal district. winning streak culminated victory of presidential candidate, lula in 2002, succeeded fernando henrique cardoso of brazilian social democracy party (partido da social democracia brasileira – psdb). psdb, defense of economic liberalism, party s main electoral rival, democrats, heir of national renewal alliance party (aliança renovadora nacional – arena), ruling party during military dictatorship. along socialist people s party (partido popular socialista – pps), dissidence of brazilian communist party (partido comunista brasileiro – pcb), form centre-right opposition lula administration. 1989 presidential elections in 1989 general elections, lula surprisingly went second round fernando collo...