Crossed Destinies: Parties and Candidates in Elections for Mayor in Brazil and Uruguay (2000-2012)

Abstract

This paper compares the political parties' capacity to be re-elected for mayor in Brazil and Uruguay from 2000 to 2012. Four elections are analyzed in Brazil (2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012) in 62 of the principal municipalities, and three elections in Uruguay (2000, 2005 and 2010) in 19 counties. The parameter utilized to evaluate political parties' performance is achieved through the comparison of the results obtained by the executives in power. In this way, three situations emerge: 1) when parties rely on the executive in power that is seeking reelection (incumbent); 2) when the incumbent does not participate of the electoral race; 3) when the results of the party and the incumbent could be different, that is, they are competitors or it is possible to dissociate each other’s performance.