'Lula' and 'Serra' together in Bahia

Bahia 247

It is quite common to hear even the 'excellencies' themselves say things about the naturalness of changes in politics. "Brazilian politics changes like the clouds change in the sky," Tancredo Neves used to say. In an election year, like this one, we can see former enemies embracing and shaking hands, a gesture that represents the consolidation of a political-party alliance in the pursuit of power.

Sometimes voters wonder which parties are right-wing, left-wing, centrist, and so on. Well, when it comes to forming alliances, it becomes clear that ideology is merely imaginary, theoretical. In practice, what matters is the search for the strongest and most competitive group. Especially in cities where mayoral candidates (specifically in municipal elections) seek more television airtime.

But let's get to today's situation. Did you know that Serra and Lula are together in Bahia? That's right. In the municipality of Brejões, in the south-central region of the state of Bahia, the coalition "Brejões taken seriously," composed of the PT and PSDB parties, registered the candidacy of Aloísio dos Santos Serra, affiliated with the PT, for city councilor with the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-BA). The most interesting thing is his electoral name: Lula!

So how can a citizen discern the historical differences between the PT and PSDB parties, between Lula and Serra, and at the same time understand that they are united in pursuit of a city with promises to improve people's lives? It's hard to understand politics...