Brazil: Sunshine, Samba and corruption

The right-wing Brazilian political class sets a perverse example for civic behaviour, once again. This time Presidential candidate Roseanna Sarney, daughter of ex-president Jose Sarney, is being investigated for fraud.

Roseanna Sarney’s popularity began to decrease immediately after it was revealed that a police raid on the offices of her company had discovered 700,000 Euros in cash and proof that the company had received public funds for investigations which were never carried out. In a word, corruption.

Sarney had been in second place in the polls in the run-up to October’s election, with Labour Party candidate Luis Inacio da Silva (Lula) leading. As she slipped to third place, she changed places with Jose Serra, who is supported by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Roseanna Sarney, supported by the Liberal Front Party, has accused the Social Democratic Party of being behind the raid, in an attempt to discredit her. The Liberal Front is considering the adoption of another candidate.

In Brazilian politics, the image of the leader is more important than loyalty to the party. That Jose Serra benefits from the scandal, there is no doubt. However, to insinuate that the police planted the evidence in a set-up is absurd. Sarney, like so many other Brazilian politicians, is guilty of the same crime: corruption.

This case is yet another which demonstrates the total lack of responsibility and consideration for the people shown by Brazil’s right-wing parties, who claim to represent the centre.

Marcia MIRANDA PRAVDA.Ru BRAZIL