Questioning Lula is fine. Just don't play into the right wing's hands.

Only the naive would believe that a revolutionary government would emerge from the 2022 elections. The strength acquired by the far right in recent years foreshadowed the election of a strong and vocal Bolsonaro bloc, as indeed happened. Hence, the brutal effort by the president-elect to form a political base that would allow him a minimum of governability.

The solution was negotiation with the right wing that wasn't exactly pro-Bolsonaro. Was too much conceded? Perhaps. The excessive power of the Centrão (center-right bloc) and the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate can be discussed. It should be discussed. Everything should be done, but nothing more than surrendering.

It is legitimate to criticize the government and suggest solutions. Just as it is legitimate to be disappointed and say why. The Lula government is one of democratic reconstruction.

There are areas where things could be better. For example, the seemingly submissive relationship with the military, dictated by the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro. The impression is that we have a president who is excessively cautious, even in the face of irrefutable evidence that part of the Armed Forces supported the Bolsonaro coup.

Lula's "treading on eggshells" regarding the military became more delicate with the government's decision to discourage protest events marking the 60th anniversary of the 1964 dictatorial coup. 

Left-wing activists and organizations working on issues related to the dead and disappeared political figures felt the blow. This was especially true after a controversial interview in which Lula suggested looking to the future and not "dwelling" on the past. The verb "dwelling" was the crux of the problem. Whatever the intention, it was very poorly received.

The list of those killed and disappeared during the military dictatorship now has 434 names. Of those who disappeared, 141 are missing. This statistic grieves families like that of Fernando Santa Cruz, from Pernambuco, arrested on February 23, 1973, in Rio de Janeiro, along with his friend Eduardo Collier. Is investigating cases like this simply "dwelling on" old problems? 

Why does this level of concern only occur in Brazil? In other Latin American countries that emerged from dictatorships, such as Argentina and Chile, no one hinted at revenge. They simply sought justice.

The disappearance of Fernando (and Eduardo) continues to this day, as there has been no confirmed news about their whereabouts. The saga of Dona Elzita Santa's family is recounted in the two editions (1984 and 2014) of the book "Where Is My Son?".

Now, go tell the Santa Cruz family, like hundreds of families in similar situations, not to "dwell" on the matter.

At the same time, and on the other side, the Bolsonaro opposition, in collusion with the corporate press, is on the lookout for flaws in the Lula government and for disagreements between the president and his allies. The mainstream media chases after these errors, whether they are real or not.

Masters of fake news, the members of the Bolsonaro factions in the National Congress are numerous and tireless. From now on, then, in command of fundamental committees of the Chamber of Deputies, such as the CCJ (Committee on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship), the Education Committee, and the Security Committee, this nefarious group demands extra caution. For them, 2026 is already a long way off. And it began with a ferocity that makes the dirty 2018 campaign seem like something out of a student union.

What is the direction of the discourse? It is to not back down from the fight against the extreme right and, at the same time, to be very careful about the weight and direction of criticism of the government currently being formed. To be careful with these criticisms of the Lula government, knowing, or trying to find out, where they come from and with what purpose. One does not play around with fascist Bolsonarism.

On the other hand, it cannot be denied that Lula's behavior, very wary of the military and overly generous with the Centrão (center-right political bloc), could cost Lula and the country dearly. I don't believe that the drop in popularity in recent polls is merely a media ploy. The discussion, however, must be cautious and held in the appropriate forums. This is the way to avoid succumbing to fascist manipulation and playing into their dirty game.

For my part, I reserve the right to disagree and criticize. The government of a political leader of Lula's stature does not deserve to be treated with a "complacency game." But one must be very careful, so as not to lose sight of which side one is on. 

Democratic reconstruction, with care and courage. This must be the path we take.