Elections in Brazil: in the capital they look the other way

In previous elections that this reporter had to cover, even with strong absenteeism and a lot of technology to relieve militancy, things were significantly different. Candidate promotion points multiplied. There were tents, flyers and even music and the vast majority of cars had posters in the rear window highlighting their favorites. Both local and state leaders, as well as the highlight of the presidential fight. Today there is none of that. The people of Brasilia, the federal capital of the South American giant, seems to turn its back on the polls.

In Rolando’s taxi, Clarion He decides to tour the city to determine if that was an exception. And prepare the camera to see what you find. Brasilia has the shape of a curved cross reminiscent of the figure of an airplane with a North Handle (wing) and a South Handle. It has an axis that forms the fuselage of the plane, which runs from east to west with the administrative headquarters, monuments, public buildings and the cathedral and a large curved avenue that crosses the two wings.

Well, in the entire Asa Sul, we only found a few solitary posters of district leaders, no more than one or two in some corner and tired by the wind. Nothing related to the presidential candidates. In Asa Norte and after a 40-minute journey, under the shadows of the torrid midday, a parked car appeared with a flag of Lula da Silva and his vice Geraldo Alckmin and the number 13 of the formula.

The journalist who finally found something to photograph, drew attention to the small group in the vehicle. “Ehhh viva Argentina”, they shouted half-chattingly when this envoy showed up. Paolo, one of them, said that from time to time they visited that neighborhood and the commercial area but that it was their thing. “We want Lula to win”says “but people don’t move like before,” he adds resignedly to explain the absence of posters, marches or whatever campaigning is about.

Shortly before the area where the government headquarters (Planalto), the chancellery (Itamarati) and the Judiciary meet in the Esplanade of Ministriesthere is a green space where a fair of craft items and clothing always operates. It was common to see there political promotion tents. This time they were almost indistinguishable.

Brasilia has some particular characteristics, it is one of the most expensive cities to live in cost competition with São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis. Perhaps its inhabitants feel that elections are far away from them. But it is a very debatable opinion.