BRASILIA, Dec. 31 -- Brazilian President Itamar Franco took care of minor matters Saturday in his last full day in office while President-elect Fernando Henrique Cardoso spent the day with his family. Cardoso, a former economy minister who won the Oct. 3 presidential vote, is to take over Sunday from Franco in a ceremony at the Brazilian Congress that leaders and officials from throughout Latin America are to attend.
Franco spent his last full day in office in casual garb -- a contrast to his usual suit and tie -- handling minor matters, while Cardoso spent the day privately with friends and family. Franco, a former vice president, took over the presidency following the 1992 resignation of former President Fernando Collor de Mello amid corruption charges against his government. He leaves office with the highest approval rating of any outgoing president. Preparations for Sunday's ceremony and inauguration gala are complete.
