Rising Political Dynamism in Brazil

Political shifts catalyzed by Brazil's recent wave of protests are beginning to be seen, with the country's two long-dominant parties facing increasing pressure from anti-establishment political movements. One such group, Marina Silva's upstart Sustainability Network, has joined forces with the minority Socialist Party to pose a direct threat to the Workers' Party's 12-year hold on power. Meanwhile the opposition Brazilian Social Democracy Party is also at risk of falling behind Silva's alliance. Regardless of which party or coalition emerges on top in the 2014 elections, Brazil has likely entered a new era of vigorous political competition, marked by small independent parties harnessing popular discontentment to disrupt the country's political status quo.