From the offices to the streets: the political background to the emergence of the June 2013 confrontation cycle, 2011-2013

Abstract

This paper endeavors to dissect the institutional and extra-institutional political dynamics that set the stage for the issues that surfaced during the June 2013 confrontation cycle. Utilizing the political confrontation theory as a framework, the study interprets June 2013 as a series of confrontations, depicting a rapid and widespread escalation resulting from conflicts across diverse social strata. Moreover, the article scrutinizes the challenges posed by the political maneuvers of the ruling PT (Workers’ Party) coalitions between 2010 and 2013, aiming to comprehend the impact of institutional politics on street activism. The inquiry extends beyond traditional urban concerns, delving into the formation of a broad spectrum of political themes that unfolded both in the streets and within institutional spheres. Drawing on a comprehensive historical analysis of newspapers and magazines and mapping pivotal protests during the period, the article endeavors to unveil the processes that contributed to the gradual erosion of the ruling coalition's influence and the crystallization of contentious issues that would later manifest on the streets.