Since 1988, the Workers' Party has grown in popularity on the national stage by winning the elections in many of the largest Brazilian cities, such as São Paulo, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Goiânia as well as in some important states, such as Rio Grande do Sul, Espírito Santo and the Federal District. This winning streak culminated with the victory of its presidential candidate Lula in 2002 who succeeded Fernando Henrique Cardoso of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party ("Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira –" PSDB). For its defense of economic liberalism, PSDB is the party's main electoral rival as well as the Democrats, heir of the National Renewal Alliance ("Aliança Renovadora Nacional –" ARENA), ruling party during the military dictatorship. Along with the Popular Socialist Party ("Partido Popular Socialista –" PPS), a dissidence of PCB, they form the centre-right opposition to the Lula administration.