Amusing people, those politics

Aistė | Kita | September 23, 2010

We live in the vortex of Brazilian election already for some time. Have to admit that it is a very interesting and enlightening experience. If we pretty much know how elections are organized in Europe, here the process is very surprising from time to time.

For example, yesterday our village was visited by one of the candidates. Serious  and loud music was playing in the church square for few hours. In the meantime he talked. Shouted. People stood there with their sincere faces lifted up to the view and waved their flags. I don’t know but this thing that the candidate was doing would require some supernatural skills. I would think that after this show he should not be able to talk. For at least a week. This is the real politics! New and unknown level. You need to be talented to be elected here.

Almost forgot to mention that to see this view people from the other villages were brought here by many busses.

Disco followed after  the speech. I would rather call it Party. Brazilian people are party animals in general so, the entire night was loud. Interesting is that this event was an exception. Usually candidates organize the party without any long speeches. More candidates – more parties. Brazilians love and knows how to party However, they know who pays for their parties. And vote of course.

The other election thing, that usually heats up my Northern patience is cars with loud speakers. They start their work at 7.30 AM. Their work is to drive around with loud speakers full volume playing the election songs. Though…it would be too simple to call it songs – these are the real musical art. I don’t know if the candidates sing it themselves, but if they do – respect for them. Then it means that to be elected a president here in Brazil you have to know how to make long and powerful speeches as well as sing very good songs.

Ok enough fooling around, here are some real serious facts about Brazil elections.

It is three level thing. Senators (for 26 states), parliament (two chambers, 594 members) and, of course, president. All of them elected for four years, except Federal Senate members, who work for eight years.

All the candidates have their own numbers. Presidential number consists of three figures. Parliament – four. Senator – five. After long analysis (morning songs have numbers instead of their refrains) I have come to conclusion that right now the members are elected to all the positions. Again, the more, the merrier.

29 parties, 7 candidates to presidents participated in the elections 2006. The citizen activeness was 83%.

One more interesting fact: Brazil was the first in the world to implement the full electronic elections (1996).