Thank you, Marina

 Brazil owes former presidential candidate Marina Silva Mr. Lula da Silva stepping down the pedestal of  arrogance, of things taken for granted, of the illusion of invincibility based on an unfair electoral advantage with a pre-fabricated candidate during a couple of years of presidential disdain for the Country’s laws. Two long years of the Pac’s Mother (PAC stands for Program for Growth Acceleration) being promoted by the Son of Brazil (The name of the laudatory film intended to promote Mr. Lula, a blustering flop) did not ensure victory in the first phase of general elections, on October 3. Crucial, once in a two-contender debate with his opponent, Mr. Jose Serra, Mrs. Dilma Rousseff’s lack of substance is likely to be highlighted.

Ms. Marina Silva, with short financial  resources and a mere  three per cent vote intention revealed in earlier polls,  has finished the dispute with an outstanding  20% of valid votes, so, she made it, and showed  she can do much more than the almost former president, who, very likely, would rule Brazil under Mrs. Dilma’s mantle, as do the Kirchner  married couple in Argentina, or the pair Putin-Medvedev, in Russia.

Mr. Lula must be seething in anger, not only for the stupid celebration of victory in advance, but also for the possibility of the end – or interruption – of his long-term power project, lifetime, perhaps.

If Ms. Marina Silva, did not rid Brazil of the consummation of the totalitarian threat foreseen in the victory of Mr. Lula da Silva under Ms. Rousseff’s  lambskin, she, at least, has proportioned electors the opportunity to fight further against its implementation.

It can’t be other the intention of a President who has never observed the liturgy of his post, made mockery of Justice, caressed uncaressable heads by those who walk side-by-side with coherence.

Of course the other candidate she’ll face in the second turn is not a saint; he, too, made his spurious alliances, supported enthusiastically the postponing of  precatories (public credits to be paid to citizens by judiciary sentence) , squandered (public) money  with disguised political propaganda and yes, also complained about the media, although not each and every day like Mr. da Silva does. In more, he governed the State of São Paulo in a reasonable way.

However, there was no considerable renewal in politics, which could have come with Ms. Marina’s election, or, yet better, if she reached the second turn.

In The Deputies House and in the Senate, reelected lawmakers like Mr. Paulo Maluf, Mr.Romero Juca, Mr. Paulinho da Forca, Mr.Valdemar Costa Neto, Mr. Edison Lobao, Mr.Paulo Paim, Mr.Arlindo Chinaglia, nothing authorizes the hope of good omen concerning the next  legislature in those Houses. Unless one could see any fun in the baloney to be said by the suffrage champion (1.4 million votes, federal deputy) Tiririca - who makes his living as a clown – in his speeches.

The Sarney Family, once again, for over 40 years, has preserved its feud in the ramshakle State of Maranhao.

It has been confirmed, once more, the obvious mantra: elections are decided in polls.

For good or for bad, the polls have spoken, and they still have a lot more to say on October 31^st. The definite word: the continuity, who knows the perpetuation, or a final point to Lulism.

For all this, and it’s not little, it suits those who value democracy saying thanks to Ms. Marina Silva.

Luiz Leitão, journalist in São Paulo, Brazil.

luizmleitao@gmail.com