Mato Grosso PL mayors defy party to support Governor Pivetta

Mayors from the Liberal Party (PL) in Mato Grosso are facing internal conflict over their support for the upcoming gubernatorial election. Two mayors, Sérgio Machnic of Primavera do Leste and Edilson Piaia of Campo Novo do Parecis, have signaled intentions to seek temporary leave from the party to support the reelection of Governor Otaviano Pivetta (Republicanos).

This move is a direct challenge to the PL's official candidate, Senator Wellington Fagundes. The state president of the PL, Ananias Filho, has warned that members campaigning for opponents will face summary expulsion for party infidelity.

Sérgio Machnic has expressed a willingness to face expulsion, stating that his responsibility to the 100,000 residents of Primavera do Leste outweighs party mandates. He criticized the party's decision-making process, claiming the current direction was decided in Brasília without consultation with local municipal leaders.