for context:
http://online.wsj.com/articles/divided-c...

" Still, the party’s Sen. Simon said that, after losing the presidency in 1989, his party curbed its ambitions. He said it opted to accrue influence by controlling powerful ministries, rather than fighting for Brazil’s top elected office and articulating a clear ideology."
sound familiar?

A record number of parties, 28(!) will vie for positions in this next election.