"Today, what motivates me to be in politics is the possibility of changing people's lives," said Rodrigo Santana, councilman of São Fidélis, Rio de Janeiro. Now in his second term, the RenovaBR leader reports building a trajectory marked by dialogue, transparency, and the belief that good governance arises from a balance between the different spheres of government.
Rodrigo recalls that as a child, he demonstrated an interest in public life, enjoying watching election time and attending City Council sessions. "He said he wanted to hold political office without even knowing what each role entailed," he recalls. Raised in a family with no political tradition, the dream of representing his city seemed distant.
"When I first ran for office in 2020, my mother worked as a sales clerk, my father as a bus driver, and I was an intern at the time," he says. Even so, it didn't take long for him to turn his vocation into a life project – during that campaign, he was elected the youngest councilor in São Fidélis, in the interior of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
He acknowledges that the training he received at RenovaBR was crucial in taking his first steps. "A year before the election, we had to develop an impactful initiative in our cities, linked to the cause we champion. I chose to revitalize a tourist lookout point downtown, which had been abandoned. We painted, lit, and transformed the space," he recalls. The initiative, an activity on Brazil Renewal Day, not only restored a symbolic landmark for São Fidélis but also projected the image of the young candidate, who became known as "Rodrigo do Cruzeiro."
The strength of the articulation between different spheres of power
But his work isn't limited to symbols. During his term, his priority has been to ensure policies that truly impact people's lives. Serving in the Legislature, he emphasizes prioritizing the needs of atypical families and contributing to improvements in the municipality's public health system, which is sometimes weakened and requires connections with other regions to ensure decent care for the population.
Rodrigo highlights achievements such as the coordination to acquire resources for APAE – the Association of Parents and Friends of the Disabled – and the purchase of an orthopedic surgical arch to perform procedures previously unavailable in the city. For him, examples like these demonstrate how vital dialogue between different levels of government is for rural cities to advance. "If I had remained confined to the office, none of this would have happened. Coordination is essential to transform resources into real benefits for the population," he states.
However, he highlighted a dilemma present in his Chamber: often, going to the capital to talk to state representatives in search of resources is not recognized as part of the role of a municipal parliamentarian, since the function would be restricted to legislating and oversight.
Rodrigo stated that he understands what the Constitution requires, but sees coordination with other spheres of government as essential to bring concrete benefits. He believes there's no point in simply creating laws without a direct impact when, through coordination, it's possible to ensure that orthopedic surgery is performed in the municipality, avoiding hours of travel, or that institutions like APAE receive resources that support nearly a year of care for 150 children.
In his view, mayors, deputy mayors, and council members need to strengthen their networks, because this ability to connect is valuable both for the city, which receives support, and for the politician, who expands their connections and potential for transformation.
Governance with transparency, dialogue and political maturity
This vision led him to create the Young Parliament, an initiative that brings students closer to the legislative process. Rodrigo says the idea met with resistance within the City Council, but he sees it differently. "My greatest joy today, as a councilor, is being able to open my doors and welcome children and young people, so they can have a positive experience. In fact, I think I'm developing supporters and new leaders," he adds.
When discussing governance, the councilman is emphatic, stating that transparency and communication are fundamental. "I think it's important to have a good dialogue with the Executive branch, with those who will manage the resources," he states. He seeks to share every achievement, attempt, and even frustration with citizens, whether through social media, the local press, or in the City Council chamber. Clarity, he says, is one of the pillars of building mutual trust between representatives and those they represent.
And all of this, as he demonstrates, depends on political maturity. During his first term, he faced resistance from the Executive regarding his proposals. Today, even though he acts independently and is not part of the government's coalition, he realizes there is more openness to dialogue. "I criticize when necessary and praise when it's positive for the city. I'm not shy about recognizing progress," he emphasizes. For him, this balance and institutional respect are signs of responsibility toward the city and democracy.
From a Fidelense who dreamed of politics to a re-elected city councilor, Rodrigo Santana shows that governing is, above all, about building bridges. His career demonstrates that a balance between dialogue, independence, and collaboration is key to transforming realities.
