The PMDB is betting on polls in Goiás, but does this apply to the entire opposition?

In the PMDB party, a tactical agreement between businessman José Batista Júnior, known as Jr. Friboi, and former governor Iris Rezende Machado sealed the peace within the party: whoever performs best in quantitative and qualitative polls will be the party's candidate. Excellent. It's a clear, technical, and objective criterion. But one question remains: could this solution also apply to other opposition candidates? Would the PMDB be willing to make this offer to the PT mayors Paulo Garcia (Goiânia) and Antônio Roberto Gomide (Anápolis) – or to the former mayor of Senador Canedo, Vanderlan Cardoso (PSB)? That is the question.

In Goiás, victories by opposition candidates only occurred when most of these forces united behind a single candidacy. This was the case with the victory of Nion Albernaz (PSDB) in 1996, when federal deputies Ronaldo Caiado (PFL), Roberto Balestra (PPR), Lúcia Vânia (PP), and Maria Valadão (PTB) put aside their differences with the PSDB candidate and agreed to support him against Valdi Camarcio (PT), the candidate of then-mayor Darci Accorsi, and against state deputy Luis Bittencourt (PMDB), the candidate of then-governor Maguito Vilela (PMDB) and senator Iris Rezende (PMDB).

The formula that worked in 1996 would be repeated in 1998, in the candidacy of then-federal deputy Marconi Perillo (PSDB), who had on the same platform five former governors (Mauro Borges, Otávio Lage, Leonino Caiado, Irapuam Costa Júnior, Ary Valadão and Henrique Santillo) and the main opposition leaders: Nion Albernaz (PSDB), Roberto Balestra, Ronaldo Caiado, Lucia Vânia, the former federal deputy for five terms Fernando Cunha (PSDB) and other opposition figures, such as the former mayor and state deputy for Santa Helena, Alcides Rodrigues (who opted out of reelection to run for vice-governor). In the second round, he would have the support of the left-wing parties: PSB, PC do B, PT and PSTU, which would guarantee a change of power in Goiás.

In the 2008 elections, the PT (Workers' Party) gave up its own candidacy and supported the re-election of Mayor Iris Rezende (PMDB). The decision came amidst a major internal debate, resolved in a historic convention where, by a vote of 116 to 115, the party, led by Osmar Magalhães, Neyde Aparecida, Paulo Garcia, Luis Cesar Bueno, Djalma Araújo, Carlos Soares, Paulo de Tarso, and Paulo Cesar Fornazier, decided to deepen its policy of alliances in Goiás. The PT's shift in favor of Iris focused on two strategies: securing the PMDB's support for the election of President Dilma Rousseff (PT) in 2010 and establishing the basis for a broad alliance aimed at unseating the PSDB from power in Goiás. It fell short. With a Franciscan campaign, compared to the volume of resources mobilized on the Marconi platform, former mayor Iris Rezende missed out on becoming governor by a mere 90 votes.

The upcoming clash in 2014 is just as difficult as the one experienced in 2010. There is visible wear and tear on Marconi Perillo's image and administration. However, nothing is gained beforehand, neither in sports nor in politics. The change of power in Goiás will require a great deal of effort and selflessness from all opposition leaders. A cohesive bloc, a politicized campaign, and a project that gives hope to the people of Goiás will be necessary. The "Marconism" suffers the wear and tear of time, but it will not be overcome by historical determinism. The mistakes made by the opposition in 2002, 2006, and 2010 will exact a price again in 2014. Have they all learned their lesson yet?

*In 1996, the current PP (Progressive Party) was registered as PPR (Renovating Progressive Party), and in 1998 it changed its name to PPB (Brazilian Progressive Party). The PFL (Liberal Front Party) is the predecessor of the current DEM (Democrats).