Regarding the need to rebuild the Democratic Center

Last Monday (6), the major newspaper Folha de S. Paulo published an editorial entitled "The Center is Missing", which said that neither left nor right, that the solution is the Center. In the current stage of the Brazilian crisis, I agree with the opinion of the Frias family editorial.

It turns out that many on the left, in their eagerness to analyze one of the most complex situations in recent Brazilian history, claim that the political center no longer exists. The same goes for the national bourgeoisie and productive capital, as they argue that it is a mistake to engage with a sector that is financialized and no longer committed to production. We act similarly with religious groups, especially evangelicals, because we believe they are an obstacle to the social agenda, as they are all reactionary. I think we cannot be so narrow-minded in the current situation.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the oracle of the PSDB and Brazilian neoliberalism, defends the construction of a "Democratic Pole" to confront and defeat the far-right. Rodrigo Maia, the current president of the Chamber of Deputies, is in a movement to pull the DEM towards the Center, taking advantage of the entry of deputies who may leave the PSB. Maia also positioned himself this Friday (10) on his Facebook page, against the proposal that prohibits abortion even in cases of rape, approved in a special committee of the House, stating that the proposal "will not pass" in the House plenary. Geraldo Alckmin, governor of the State of São Paulo, in recent statements, said that pension reform is necessary, "but it cannot penalize the poorest". He also stated that "pure liberalism is uncivilized". FHC, Maia and Alckmin are moving, correctly, to dialogue with the Center. As in the examples above, the right has been constantly signaling to the Center.

But not the left. It's understandable that the defeat resulting from the impeachment – ​​the coup from within – disorganized parts of the political spectrum which, disoriented, began to deny politics, reality, and above all, the balance of power. Not to mention those who praise the anti-national sectors of the state bureaucracy (the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Federal Police, and sectors of the Judiciary) that are destroying the country.

The political center, as I understand it, is polarized by power and the expectation of power. It leans more to the left or right depending on which way the wind blows – the image that illustrates this well is that of a windsock at an airport. But it's not just about categorizing parties. In the middle of all this, there are the people, the average voter, generally centrist, progressive on economics and conservative on social issues. Therefore, I ask: In a situation as complex as the one we are experiencing, and wanting to escape isolation, should we build bridges or destroy them?

Another example: business owners don't adhere to rent-seeking out of ideology. They pursue profit, wherever it may be. If it's in rent-seeking, that's where they'll be. If production becomes profitable again, they'll reinvest. The evangelical population is part of the popular mass of beneficiaries of our government's social policies. I ask again, do we engage in dialogue with this group or do we enter into conflict with them on the issue of morals?

While some are betting on radicalization, the right seeks dialogue with the political center and the average voter. "Leftism, the infantile disorder of Communism," as Lenin said, often produces electoral disasters and throws us into isolation.

Lula did very well to signal his intention to broaden the dialogue with the Center in his speech where he "forgives the coup plotters." You don't win elections alone, because in Brazil you win with 50% of the votes plus one. Today, the democratic-popular field is restricted to approximately 30% of the Brazilian electorate. Furthermore, a Left Front is self-affirmation. It's synonymous with defeat and isolation. What's ugly isn't making programmatic alliances with former coup plotters, it's losing elections and watching the country be destroyed.

The 2018 election will be a plebiscite, meaning it will determine what kind of country we want. Therefore, it is crucial to contest the election for a new political and programmatic majority capable of resuming the project and advancing the construction of a more just, sovereign, supportive, and democratic Brazil.