São Paulo Mayor denies banning PT demonstration on Paulista Avenue

São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes denied that he prohibited a planned demonstration by the Workers' Party (PT) on Avenida Paulista. The controversy arose after a municipal notice appeared to impede the event, which is scheduled for Saturday morning ahead of the first round of elections.

A judge from the Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo (TRE-SP) suspended the city's restrictive order, ruling that electoral acts are permitted until 10:00 PM on the eve of voting and that the municipal administration lacks police power over electoral propaganda.

While the demonstration, which is expected to include President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and candidate Fernando Haddad, is authorized, the TRE-SP decision stipulates that organizers must not block traffic lanes or obstruct the circulation necessary for Electoral Justice operations.