It’s all part of the election campaign:
. The little flags are fluttering in the wind. There’s probably not a single street in Curahuasi without these flags. The colors correspond to political groups. And the symbols are especially important: a dog, a house, a helmet, a spade. Voters in the municipal elections on October 4 will then find the corresponding symbols on the long ballot. This way, even illiterate voters can keep track of things.
A homeowner who flies one or more flags receives a basket of groceries as a token of appreciation. Even more appealing is the offer of a job in the local government—provided the candidate wins.
Political parties tend to form quite spontaneously around a charismatic politician. They come and go. More often than not, the group is united not by a shared commitment to a platform, but by the hope of personal gain after the election. These alliances of convenience rarely last beyond a single legislative term. Placement on the ballot is negotiated behind closed doors. On election night, it becomes clear whether one has backed the right horse. All things considered, I think care packages in exchange for a spot on the ticket are a fair arrangement. /KDJ
