PSDB's Sao Paulo wing, the first shot in the battle to succeed Mr Cardoso in 2002.

ECONOMIST: Crossed lines in Brazil

The PSDB's Geraldo Alckmin, who lost the previous presidential election to Lula, should romp home as its governor.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's next government

PSDB, which under Mr Cardoso laid the foundations of economic stability and a stronger democracy in the 1990s.

ECONOMIST: Brazil: Lazy, hazy days for lucky Lula | The

The PSDB also hopes to woo the 20m Brazilians who voted for a third candidate, Marina Silva of the Green Party.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

Meanwhile the PSDB's grandees will swing big states to Mr Serra, where they will be joined by most of Ms Silva's voters.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

That voters who turned away from Ms Rousseff chose Ms Silva is bad news for Mr Serra's centrist Party of Brazilian Social Democracy (PSDB).

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

In 2006 he beat the PSDB's Geraldo Alckmin, in part by portraying him as pro-privatisation (which is almost as unpopular in Brazil as being pro-choice).

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

Few PSDB candidates mentioned him in their campaigns for Congress or governorships, on the basis that reminding voters of links with the weaker presidential contender would be damaging.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

Meanwhile, in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state, an alleged overpricing scam involving the state bank may harm the re-election bid of Yeda Crusius, its PSDB governor.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's next government

PSDB's official coalition partner.

ECONOMIST: Brazil