During the first formal discussions between the leaders of the centrist Social Democratic Party, known as PSDB, which has led the country for eight years and the soon-to-be ruling Workers' Party, known as PT, the PSDB suggested a non-aggression pact.

However, the PT leadership rejected the notion, maintaining a defensive front as it begins to cobble together the nation's first leftist government in more than 40 years. The PT leaders said that their criticisms are merely a part of the "political game" being played out as South America's largest nation prepares for its transfer of power at the beginning of January.

"The critics of the PT (in the current government) are part of the political game in the same way that the PSDB will criticize the future government," said PT president and federal deputy in Brazil's lower house, Jose Dirceu.

Analysts see the PT's refusal to accept a peace agreement with the PSDB as a political maneuver that will give it more leeway once it assumes the mantle of power. By continuing to criticize the incumbent administration, the PT can blame the PSDB for the country's economic woes and sagging currency.

While the PSDB appeared to be making efforts to bury the political hatchet during Thursday's meeting, the ruling party of Fernando Henrique Cardoso apparently has other plans in mind as it prepares to hand over the reins to President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In recent days, the PSDB announced that it would create a specialized think tank to probe PT political initiatives once Lula, as the president elect is commonly known, assumes office.

The purpose of the organization would likely be to provide PSDB leaders in the legislature with pre-prepared opposition views.

The seemingly chilly relationship between the parties is an apparent continuation of the heated campaign that culminated in last month's runoff election. Lula easily defeated Cardoso's handpicked successor, former Health Minister Jose Serra.

A four-time presidential hopeful and former union leader, Lula won the election on a platform calling for widespread social reform such as a raised minimum wage and a narrowing of the economic divide between Brazil's wealthy and poor, one of the largest in the world.

While Cardoso has been lauded internationally for his fiscal reform and privatization initiatives, his perceived lack of interest in rectifying some social ills prompted Brazilians to seek out new blood for the nation's highest office.

For his part, Cardoso has expressed support for the incoming government, although he has on occasion made what sounded like underhanded remarks about the PT's ability to govern.

On Thursday, for example, he said that he hoped that Lula's administration has the "good sense" to continue the social programs implemented during his two terms of office.

"It will be possible to consolidate the array of government social programs, if the next administration has the good sense to carry them forward -- as I hope it has," said Cardoso.

The president has at times been publicly critical of Lula's leading initiative -- the effort to eradicate hunger or "Zero Hunger" program -- saying that it would worsen the government's debt position.

In his first formal address at Brazil's incoming leader, Lula laid out plans to end hunger among the 50 million Brazilians living below the poverty line.

Since then, Lula has occasionally criticized the Cardoso administration for neglecting the needs of many Brazilians. Generally, though, he has been largely non-confrontational towards the man he is about to replace.

Copyright 2002 by United Press International. All rights reserved.

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