In yet another retreat, Marina abandons her own network.
While the "dreamers" regroup to collect the remaining 50 signatures needed to formalize the new party with the TSE (Superior Electoral Court), Marina declares that, if elected, she will remain in the PSB (Brazilian Socialist Party) so as not to "instrumentalize the Presidency"; "Rede (Sustainability Network) will always have my support, but we are committed to governing with all parties"; amidst so many comings and goings, the suspicion remains that Marina's strategy is to avoid friction with the PSB; for now; but, if she stays with the socialist party, it will be clear that the campaign to create Rede, a landmark of "new politics," was nothing more than an elaborate electoral ploy to gain power.
247 - Leaders of the Sustainability Network, an organization until recently headed by presidential candidate Marina Silva (PSB), have revived the recognition process with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and resumed collecting signatures with the goal of obtaining recognition as a political party in 2015. However, the organization's most prominent leader has already admitted that she may not join the group if elected.
In a recent interview with the G1 portal last Wednesday (3), Marina already gave signs that she intended to remain in the PSB by declaring that Rede will always have her support and that the party does not depend on her to become viable. “I will continue as President of the Republic elected by the PSB because I do not want to instrumentalize this place (the Presidency). Rede will always have my support, but we are committed to governing with all parties,” Marina stated.
Now, even Rede's own supporters downplay the possibility of another setback for the presidential candidate. The assessment is that a new political moment is underway and that, if elected, Marina will be president for everyone. "Rede emerges as a new model of party and not as the party of a single president," Walter Feldman, general coordinator of the presidential campaign, told Agência O Globo.
Despite confirming that the pact with Eduardo Campos will be maintained, meaning Marina can leave the PSB whenever she wants, the candidate's retreat pleased the party's leaders. The gesture was considered important. "She demonstrated that she feels good in the PSB, it's good that she feels comfortable. If she wants to stay, she's very welcome," a PSB leader told O Globo.
Amidst so many comings and goings, the suspicion remains that Marina's stance is merely a strategy to avoid friction with the PSB at this moment when her candidacy is on the rise. On the other hand, if she stays in the party, the suspicion will remain that the creation of Rede Sustentabilidade, a landmark of Marina's "new politics," was nothing more than a media ploy to reach the Presidency of the Republic.
The creation of the Rede party was rejected by the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) last year due to insufficient signatures. Electoral offices validated 442 certificates of support, 50 fewer than required by law, despite Marina's protests, who denounced the exclusion of unjustified endorsements and alleged manipulation of the court by the Presidential Palace.
The Rede party is taking advantage of the electoral commotion and Marina's growing popularity to secure the remaining 50 signatures. These leaders expect the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) to approve the creation of the new party in 2015. Once the new party is formally established, Marina Silva, whether president or not, would have a 30-day window to join the party to avoid being penalized under the law against party disloyalty.