We recognize Jeannette as one of our own, a woman of the people, a hard worker, dedicated to defending the social and political rights of working people, which is why we enthusiastically support her presidential campaign.
In addition to her social background, we identify with Jeannette because of her political position. As a minister in the current government, despite constant boycotting by the right wing in Congress and the media, she pushed for a reduction in the working week to 40 hours, an increase in the minimum wage to 539,000 pesos by 2026, and made progress in improving pensions. She was also part of a government that implemented both zero co-payments in public health and the Emergency Housing Plan.
This political program focused on social welfare can and should be enriched by the experience gained by the government (both central and local) in recent years. For example, in terms of specific sectors, the Emergency Housing Plan, successful with regard to both the quantity and quality of homes built, could be enriched with urban policies that focus on the right to the city. For its part, the subsidiary state, which is weak, disjointed, and backward in many areas, could be strengthened, coordinated, and modernized to reduce waiting times for health or housing solutions.
Jeannette's charisma and social program can connect with the working class. The great challenge is the compulsory, depoliticized, disgruntled vote, which searches for some answer to its problems, with little faith in democratic institutions. Only the people can reverse this current political landscape, which is unfavorable to democratic, progressive, and leftist forces.
One way to connect with this sector of the population is by representing their demands and aspirations in the political system through protest movements, such as the fight for housing. The social agenda that was postponed in the constitutional response to the “social uprising” must, this time, be the central focus. Public safety, housing, food, and healthcare must be the main concerns.
The call to cast a blank or invalid vote, in fact, only strengthens the possibility of the far-right reaching the presidency, which will mean a setback for the rights of women, tenants, and workers in general.
That is why we call for the defense and contestation of every social space, every housing committee, student organization, union, or social movement, and urge them not to surrender any territory to the authoritarian right. We believe that victory is possible if every social movement and political party steps outside its comfort zone in search of votes from the working class.
From every housing committee, trade union, and assembly, we say: CEDE NO GROUND TO THE AUTHORITARIAN RIGHT! GET ORGANIZED AND VOTE FOR A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE, ONE OF OUR OWN!
Ukamau
