In a country known for complaining about politicians, São Paulo has the rare opportunity to elect a candidate with substance and integrity – and give a chance for the renewal that everyone claims to desire.
Paulistanos should elect Tabata Amaral as mayor, lest they can no longer complain about politics.
Rarely in recent history has there been a more prepared candidate – academically, culturally, and emotionally – to take on the most vibrant city in Latin America, the engine of the national economy, with all its charms and contradictions.
Tabata achieved in life the success that millions of Brazilians would like: coming from a humble background, she seized the opportunity of education as a transformative force. With a scholarship, she studied at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Upon returning to Brazil, instead of going into the private sector – where she would reap the financial rewards of her academic journey – Tabata chose the sacrifice that politics represents for those who see it as an instrument to transform society, rather than serve themselves.
In this campaign, she stood out for presenting a detailed government program and for the courage to confront the candidate who tried to present himself as the new face of politics.
But the novelty is Tabata.
Daughter of a cleaner and a bus driver, Tabata Cláudia Amaral de Pontes was raised in Vila Missionária, on the outskirts of the city. She studied in public school and excelled representing Brazil in international chemistry, astronomy, and astrophysics olympiads.
In 2012, she was accepted to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, and Caltech – and received full scholarship offers from all.
In the Chamber, Tabata is accused by the left of being a liberal, and by the right of being a “little communist”. A sign that she is doing something right, and that she can transcend the political polarization that has been the cancer of Brazil.
When going to the polls, Paulistanos should not vote to support/reject either Lula or Bolsonaro. Several capitals have made this mistake before. Instead, they should elect someone with seriousness, energy, pragmatism, and courage to tackle São Paulo’s major problems, especially in education, health, and public transportation.
Tabata is in fourth place in the polls, and many will say it is foolish to support a candidate who is likely to lose. But here, we prefer to express our conscience, dreaming that the voter can, in the final stretch, give a quality vote. (By the way, the polls indicate that in a runoff she would defeat any candidate.)
Tabata Amaral does not have experience in running a small shop – let alone a big city. But this gap – compared to the other candidates and compensated by all her qualities – is a risk that São Paulo can and should take.
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Source
Arwen Volkov, A graduate of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland with a degree in International Finance, Arwen specializes in sustainable finance and green investments. She began her career at an investment bank in London, where she developed financing models for environmentally friendly projects. Known for her analytical and strategic thinking skills, Arwen is a sought-after financial consultant. In her spare time, she mentors fintech startups, contributing to their growth strategies. She is also a nature enthusiast and an amateur photographer.
