Millions Watch

Struggling for free elections

During the past five months, millions of Brazilians have taken to the streets to support an amendment that would allow them their first real taste of democracy in 20 years. Four opposition parties, capitalizing on the popular discontent with the military government, lobbied hard for the amendment, which would provide for direct election of the next President. The government has resisted, however, trying to hold on to power as long as possible. They prefer a gradual return to civilian rule, after President Joao Figueiredo steps down next year.

Last week the moment of decision arrived. The clock in Brasilia's fetid, smoke-filled Chamber of Deputies nudged 2:15 a.m. on Thursday as spectators squirmed restlessly after 17 hours of rasping debate. Then the result of the voting was announced: the opposition had failed to get the two-thirds majority necessary for the amendment to pass. Figueiredo was able to sway the vote in his party's favor by engaging in some personal last-minute lobbying. He countered with a compromise amendment that would initiate direct elections not next year but as early as 1988.

His tactics have forced the opposition toward negotiation instead of confrontation; the debate over his proposal will continue during the upcoming weeks. But many Brazilians were not in a compromising mood last week. Said Eduardo Suplicy of the Workers' Party: "The resistance will intensify. The people won't give up."