Brava: What awaits us in the next municipal elections

It should be noted that this is a personal opinion, the result of surveying data on the ground and listening to people in all locations

With a little less than a year left for the municipal elections, the doubt is whether we will have a replacement or confirmation election? That is, will the ballot boxes maintain or not the prevailing political scenario at the national level, the contradictory conservatism (customs) liberal (economy)?

At the outset, we need to understand that in electoral politics, time dedicated to maturation, analysis of previous results and charting a path is necessary. At Brava we have a President who did not leave the direct vote, as he took the mandate of the former President Orlando Balla, who will confront a PAICV candidate, still non-existent.

A President much criticized for the absence of localities, lack of ideas, current manager and very dependent on central power, with regard to establishing priorities for the island and defining clear policies in the fight against poverty, unemployment, etc….

A President who does not distance or differentiate from government power, even in the case where the interests of the people of Brave are at stake, much harmed by the current Government.

In a highly politicized society such as Brave, where “us” and “them” prevail, it is very difficult to know exactly what will happen in terms of electoral results, as voters treat political parties as if they were football teams.

The use of social networks as a battleground for a parallel, virtual election, with a predominance of untrue news, serving as an “opinion maker” for the unwary, will be another situation that should be taken into account. Apparently more aggressive and intolerant than the previous one. The same can be said of the demonization of the traditional media which, victimized by the discredit campaign stimulated by the Government itself and by the local Power and its fanatical followers, with the exception of the allied vehicles, should have a secondary role in the voter's final decision.

But it is important to know what to count on and who to count on for the elections. An MpD in doubt, whether to bet on the current mayor Francisco Tavares, who is very weak in popular polls, who increases his rejection rate every day, or take a chance on a new face, with more youth, vigor and innovative ideas?

A PAICV that sails without a North, with serious risks of repeating last-call candidates… “if we don't have you, go yourself”.

Francisco Tavares? David Lima Gomes? Jose Gonçalves…..the MpD solutions…….

Francisco Tavares once said that the MpD had said nothing to him about the matter and that “my position at this moment will be to remain in the presidency of the CMB, at least, to be available to be a candidate for the next municipal election”.

David Lima Gomes, the current deputy, said that he is not considering running for any election in the medium term, meaning for mayor of the City Council or national deputy.

Brava, for many years, has been waiting for an autonomous power with innovative ideas, independent and that counts in its development process, like its children in the four corners of the world.

A Mayor, de facto leader, congregator, peacemaker and less partisan.

Before you classify me as a fatalist, someone who dismisses the possibility of significant changes in the current status quo, I say that the secret of political transformations is in learning from the past and understanding the present. The first because it is essential and the second because it is essential.

A past full of mistakes and few successes, for a present that will create ruptures, be different, creative and dreamy. No nation that is known has developed, continuing with the same, routine and navigation in sight.

If I could advise you at this moment, in view of everything that is in the local political panorama, I would use the wisdom of great thinkers, to dream of a unique candidacy, which will benefit influential people from the island of Brava, namely David Lima Gomes, Francisco Tavares, Amandio Brito, Domingos Lopes, Jorge Reverdes, Fernanda Fidalgo Burgo… And many young cadres, who will be ready for the challenges of the island.

A candidacy that set an example to the world and the country, of which there are many, there are few for the development of Brava. That divisionism was never the key to development.

A unique candidacy that would take advantage of local synergies, supporting the thousands of Brave residents around the world, to solve once and for all the problems of transport to and from the island, bet on credit for agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry, thus ending the lack of water and create the foundations for quality education and health.

We'll be here to see!

Moses Santiago