That would allow Mr Cardoso to whip up public indignation against pampered pen-pushers, argues Tasso Jereissati, the governor of Ceara state and a close ally of Mr Cardoso.

ECONOMIST: Cardoso��s reform puzzle

Before that, as governor of the north-eastern state of Ceara, he ran a prudent and efficient administration.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's election

Both must scrap for the votes of two slippery populist candidates, Anthony Garotinho, until recently the governor of Rio de Janeiro, who got 18%, and Ciro Gomes, a former governor of the north-eastern state of Ceara, who got 12%.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election