World Notes BRAZIL

Love is blooming in Brazil, where private affairs can arouse public passions. Justice Minister Bernardo Cabral, 58, was forced to resign this month after the press revealed his romance with fellow Cabinet member Zelia Cardoso de Mello, the Economy Minister. Their relationship became common knowledge after Cabral, who is married, and Cardoso de Mello, who is single, openly danced cheek to cheek at her 37th birthday party. Cardoso de Mello's love life had become the subject of speculation after a reporter spotted an engagement ring on her finger.

Despite a poll that said 90% of Brazilians did not consider the affair sufficient reason for dismissal, President Fernando Collor de Mello was worried that the scandal might damage his administration's credibility. His sensitivity is understandable: three weeks ago, a woman from the state of Alagoas claimed that the President was the father of her 10-year-old son. Last month a candidate for governor in the state of Rio Grande do Sul was hurt by allegations from his former wife that he had deserted their three children. And in the state of Amazonas, gubernatorial candidate Gilberto Mestrinho was attacked by his opponents for having nine children by four women. But the snickering slogan "Vote for Mestrinho -- he could be your father" backfired: Mestrinho won by a landslide.