What is Amorim's government plan for Sergipe?

Valter Lima, from Sergipe 247 – In 2006, Marcelo Déda, then the PT candidate for Governor of Sergipe, was elected on a platform of change. After decades of being governed by right-wing politicians, Sergipe chose to alter course and give the left a chance. In 2010, with a discourse emphasizing further change, Déda was re-elected, but with the support of conservative parties led by brothers Edivan and Eduardo Amorim.

Now, with the approach of the 2014 election, when Déda will no longer be eligible for re-election, the race to succeed him may, in its discourse and campaign marketing, echo the same rhetoric of change. But, unlike in the past, this time, with a right-wing candidate.

At least, that's what can be inferred from what federal deputy André Moura (PSC), spokesperson for the Amorim brothers, has been saying. He has even spoken of uniting the opposition for the betterment of Sergipe, in an attempt (which is unlikely to succeed) to have Mayor João Alves Filho (DEM) on the same platform as Senator Eduardo Amorim.

Allies of João when the Democrat was in power, then allies of Déda when the Workers' Party member came to power and was re-elected, and now in opposition, with the sole objective of becoming the protagonists in power, the group led by Edivan Amorim, formed by a mix of a dozen political parties, does not have a strategic government plan.

It is not known, for example, what positions the group defends regarding public policies, structural issues, health, education, the environment, and public safety, to mention only the most relevant topics. So far, it has not been clear from the daily radio appearances of the politicians led by Amorim what they effectively advocate as a counterpoint to the current state of affairs.

It's even contradictory for the Amorim family to support the PT's Federal Government while positioning themselves as the fiercest opponents of the State Government of the same party, given that the principles underpinning both administrations are identical. The truth is, the group dances to whatever tune is being played, without any embarrassment.

In this context, it is unlikely that a PSC candidacy could be seen as transformative. First, because this discourse has always been – and still is – closely linked to left-wing parties. And the PSC is far-right, so much so that it attracts pastors to its ranks who raise banners against the rights of minorities, such as homosexuals, and is in favor of lowering the age of criminal responsibility, a very controversial issue that clashes with the defense of human rights, a matter dear to left-wing parties, to cite just two examples.

From Eduardo's time in government, as Secretary of Health in João Alves Filho's last administration, it's impossible to objectively recall any action that clearly demonstrated what the current senator would do if he were elected governor. If elected, he would be the first member of the PSC party to govern a state. The party has already prioritized Sergipe in the 2014 election, which will lead the party not to support Dilma Rousseff (PT) in her reelection bid.

On the PSC Nacional website, there are faltering indications of what the party thinks – and what rules it should follow. See: “The Social Christian Party is based on Christian Social Doctrine, inspired by the values ​​and purposes of Christianity, in pursuit of a just, supportive, and fraternal society. Christianity, more than a religion, represents for the PSC a state of mind that does not segregate, exclude, or discriminate. It accepts everyone, regardless of creed, color, race, ideology, sex, social, political, economic, or financial condition.” In other words, it allows the party to gravitate towards whichever side best suits it.

Although it is not yet the time to present himself as a candidate, Senator Eduardo Amorim needs to better demonstrate what kind of state model he advocates, what kind of government structure he wishes to maintain, and what priorities will be fundamental to his government program.

In Sergipe, even with substantial reach, managing dozens of municipalities, there is no unified thinking regarding the administrative model of the group led by Edivan Amorim. Therefore, it is time for society to demand from such a large group – one that extends across all municipalities – what management style it advocates and how it intends to deal with the state's public sector. Being a candidate for governor requires, above all else, firm and consolidated principles, revealed in speeches and actions.

Currently, the PSC is a party trailing behind the Federal Government, having more political strength within Sergipe, but small on a national level. Although it even votes against the Dilma government in some situations, it does not have a defined and clear programmatic profile. The people of Sergipe already knew what to expect from Déda, João, Albano, Valadares – political figures who reached the highest office in the State – but they do not objectively know what Eduardo Amorim will do if he succeeds in 2014.

The Amorim family knows the methods and rules of the political game and is very good at relating to pragmatic groups. They want to take over the government with a single perspective: to gain power and maintain it. But they lack a strategic vision. And this, beyond ideological disputes, is indeed very important to know how far the leader intends to go with their administration and what positive effects they can have on the community. To date, this much-needed information about Eduardo Amorim's project is missing.