With the exception of business owners and investors, most Brazilians looked for candidates who prioritized job creation and income generation, in the 2018 elections. According to a Brazilian Economic Outlook from the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA), the economy sustained growth (albeit slow) for a while since the end of 2017, industrial production increased, and unemployment rates declined. Nevertheless, 13.4 million people remained jobless, particularly women, youth, and people of color; and growth rates were disappointing. A poll by Datafolha showed at the time that Brazilians’ perceptions of the economy were pessimistic: 72 percent of those surveyed felt the economic scenario had worsened in the last months. Similar to the reaction to corruption, this extremely negative perception of the socioeconomic environment could potentially further distance voters from the traditional government and their allies, turning voters toward “unconventional” candidates instead, who could represent a change in the status quo.

Idem. Ibidem (adapted).