Having endured years of budget cuts to satisfy fiscal requirements for the euro, voters have ushered in left-leaning governments inclined to shore up social programs.

In some quarters, that has been interpreted as a warning to the current left-leaning government to back off.

At least in speeches, he had opposed free trade and reached out to regional Latin American countries with left-leaning governments.

The ship's crew had declared itself in rebellion against his left-leaning government on the fourth day of a general strike, which the opposition vowed to continue.

Mr. da Silva's left-leaning government contains many ministers who fought the military rulers.

Brazil's new, left-leaning government, which has publicly embraced environmental issues, pledged to act immediately.

For Venezuela's left-leaning government, which has been fending off threats to remain in power, the economy's rebound could not have come a moment too soon.

But some influential members of his left-leaning government remain opposed to such a move.

The new left-leaning government is also promoting exports to compensate for the decline in foreign investment.

His choice will affect how markets react to the new left-leaning government when it takes office on Jan. 1.