Lula, Tarcísio, and Felipe Augusto rebuild São Sebastião and democracy.

Amidst the revelry and catharsis of the first carnival after the two simultaneous catastrophes we suffered – the pandemic and the Bolsonaro government – ​​we were impacted by the environmental and humanitarian tragedy that severely affected the northern coast of São Paulo. 

I could elaborate on the predictability of tragedies like this, which repeat themselves every summer in various Brazilian cities. I could also talk about the fact that the previous government systematically reduced funding for the prevention and response to natural disasters, to the point that, for the 2023 budget, a meager R$ 500,00 (five hundred reais) was allocated for each Brazilian city to "cope" with the rains that are known to fall between January and March. Any of these topics would be relevant, but there is something amidst this tragedy that needs to be highlighted. 

In December 2021, Bahia was affected by torrential rains, impacting over 900 people, including those left homeless and those who died. At the time, President Bolsonaro was on vacation in Santa Catarina. He was there and remained there. With his characteristic lack of solidarity, the "former captain," overly concerned with his rest, stated: "I hope I don't have to return sooner." Interrupting his jet ski and speedboat rides to perform his duties as president of the republic when thousands of Brazilians were in despair? What an absurd idea! At that time, other states—Ceará, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Norte, Maranhão, Paraíba, and Sergipe—offered the necessary support to Bahia, in addition to the assistance of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) in rescuing flood victims. Bolsonaro's negligence caused some indignation, but accustomed as we were to a president who refused to assume leadership of the country, who outsourced the exercise of command over the nation's direction (to the Centrão, to the Market...), we swallowed it down. We were as if anesthetized, numbed by a succession of barbarities perpetrated by the former president. 

Bolsonaro was elected under the false antithesis of what he called "old politics." In reality, he held parliamentary office for over 30 years, placing all his relatives, supporters, and associates in the state apparatus... see the mother of the clan's newest baby, comfortably ensconced in a public position with a lavish salary, at the expense of my and your hard-earned money, dear reader. Bolsonaro, the "anti-system" who actually revels in the system he so vehemently criticizes. 

A year has passed, and the environmental tragedy has repeated itself. But the scenario is now different. Upon learning of the disaster on the northern coast of São Paulo, Lula was also enjoying his Carnival break, but his stance was the complete opposite of his predecessor. Lula promptly went to São Sebastião, the city most affected by the natural disaster. He joined forces with the Mayor, Felipe Augusto (PSDB), and the Governor, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos). He stated that the moment calls for a combination of forces for the good of the affected population and announced measures to address the crisis. The image captured of the meeting between the three is striking, symbolic, and auspicious. 

Since his election campaign, Lula has stated that his government would make no distinction in its treatment of allied and opposition governors. And he has acted accordingly, as exemplified by the serious coup attempts of January 8th, when the current president met with all the governors of the 27 states and the Federal District. In that meeting, he reiterated his defense of democracy and republican principles. Bolsonaro, on the other hand, publicly ignored and antagonized opposition governors, to the point that the northeastern states were forced to form a consortium to discuss and address common problems. 

On Monday, the photographic record of Lula's meeting with Governor Tarcísio and Mayor Felipe Augusto is a republican lesson. This word – Republic, so dear and meaning "public thing" (res publica), needs to be revisited and remembered after long years of patrimonialist and pseudo-monarchical hiatus. Who doesn't remember autocratic gems like "my army," "I am the Constitution"? Bolsonaro certainly dreamed of being the Sun King.

Even amidst the environmental and humanitarian tragedy, the image of the combined forces of the State, in its three spheres (federal, state, and municipal government), seeking to help people in their most vulnerable situations, is an image of hope for our ailing democracy. It was moving to see President Lula place his hand on the forehead of the mayor of São Sebastião and say: “Calm down, we'll fix this. Find a safe plot of land and we'll rebuild these houses.”

Subscribe to 247, Support via Pix, Subscribe to TV 247, in the channel Cuts 247 and watch: