Republicanos expels Sorocaba Mayor Rodrigo Manga for party infidelity

The Republicanos party has unanimously expelled Rodrigo Manga, the mayor of Sorocaba, for party infidelity. The decision was reached by the party's national Ethics Council with a five-to-zero vote.

The expulsion follows Manga's public support for his wife, Sirlange Maganhato, who is running for federal deputy under the União Brasil party. The disciplinary action was prompted by a social media video showing Manga at the União Brasil headquarters in Sorocaba, where he declared his support for her candidacy.

Manga acknowledged in the proceedings that he would provide “total and unrestricted support” to his wife's campaign, a move the rapporteur stated was a confession of violating the party's statutes. The party's rules allow for penalties including warning, suspension, or expulsion for members who support candidates or personalities that run contrary to the party's interests.

Manga, a prominent social media figure known as the ‘tiktoker mayor,’ was re-elected in 2024 with 73% of the vote. His political career has also faced legal scrutiny; he was previously removed from office due to investigations into alleged health sector irregularities but was reinstated following a Supreme Federal Court decision.