Brazilian courts fine Novo party for early campaign ads and reject PT lawsuit against MP Van Hattem

The Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Sul ordered the Novo party and its pre‑candidates Marcel Van Hattem, Felipe Camozzato and Preto Kayser to pay a total fine of R$20,000 for early electoral propaganda displayed on a billboard along the BR‑116 in Novo Hamburgo. The court classified the outdoor message as premature campaign advertising, ordered its removal and the party complied before the final decision was published.

Separately, the 15th Civil Court of Brasília dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Workers' Party (PT) seeking moral damages from MP Marcel Van Hattem over his statements accusing the government and President Lula of fraud in the INSS. The judge ruled the remarks were made in the exercise of parliamentary duties and therefore protected by parliamentary immunity, also ordering the PT to cover court costs.