Reforma política

The Economist

BRAZILIANS have taken to the streets for many reasons over the past few weeks, but it’s safe to say that few things ranked higher on their long list of grievances than a loathing of their politicians and political parties. Yet Brazil’s political class is nothing if not canny. In the days following the protests, politicians rushed to show contrition, offering not only to postpone their recess, but also passing a series of high-profile bills they had previously rejected or ignored.
“They know exactly what is happening on the streets,” says Sylvio Costa, Director of Congresso Em Foco (Congress in Focus), an independent website that monitors parliament. “When there is popular pressure they go with the flow because they are petrified. They want the public off their backs and they want to get re-elected.”
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