São Paulo Municipal Chamber leadership race intensifies

Political maneuvering is underway for the presidency of the São Paulo Municipal Chamber for the upcoming biennium. João Jorge of the MDB, the current vice-president and an ally of Mayor Ricardo Nunes, has officially announced his candidacy and is considered a frontrunner.

The PT party, which holds the largest caucus with eight councilors, is expected to formalize its support for Jorge in exchange for leadership of a thematic commission. While Jorge has the backing of the Mayor and current Chamber President Ricardo Teixeira of União Brasil, the PL party intends to field its own candidate to assert its political importance to the administration.

Potential candidates from the PL include Isac Félix and Gilberto Nascimento. The PL maintains that its seven-member caucus is large enough to claim the presidency. The election for the new Board of Directors is scheduled for December 15.