José Serra

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José Serra

Brazilian politician

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July 16, 2026

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Jos\u00e9 Serra is a Brazilian politician and a cofounder of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB) (PSDB). He was the PSDB's presidential candidate in 2002, finishing second to Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva. Serra also served as the health minister and later as the mayor of S\u00e3o Paulo, using the office as a political stepping stone to his election as governor in 2006.12

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Brazil
The Petrobras scandal, impeachment of Rousseff, and Temer interregnum
…in the October poll were José Serra, Lula’s Social Democratic rival in the 2002 election, and Marina Silva of the Green Party. Rousseff won nearly half of the vote, but, because she fell short of a majority, she and the runner-up, Serra, met in a runoff in October, which Rousseff…
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…in the October poll were José Serra, Lula’s Social Democratic rival in the 2002 election, and Marina Silva of the Green Party. Rousseff won nearly half of the vote, but, because she fell short of a majority, she and the runner-up, Serra, met in a runoff in October, which Rousseff…
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Brazilian Social Democratic Party
…Deputies, and its presidential candidate, José Serra, finished second behind Luis Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party.
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…Deputies, and its presidential candidate, José Serra, finished second behind Luis Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party.
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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Early life and start in politics
Lula decisively defeated José Serra, the government-backed candidate, by winning 61.5 percent of the vote.
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Lula decisively defeated José Serra, the government-backed candidate, by winning 61.5 percent of the vote.
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São Paulo
From metropolis to megametropolis
…for reelection was thwarted by José Serra, one of the founders of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), former health minister, and runner-up in the 2002 presidential elections. During his 15 months in city hall, Serra concentrated on balancing the budget and improving health services. Like others before him, he…
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…for reelection was thwarted by José Serra, one of the founders of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), former health minister, and runner-up in the 2002 presidential elections. During his 15 months in city hall, Serra concentrated on balancing the budget and improving health services. Like others before him, he…
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