Haddad really wants "rigor" against the PSDB's mensalão scandal.

247 – The mayor of São Paulo, Fernando Haddad (PT), argues that the "rigor" applied by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) in the trial of Criminal Action 470 should also be used in other corruption cases, "such as the PSDB's mensalão scandal in Minas Gerais." In an interview with Radio EstadãoThe Workers' Party member stated that the same "legal arguments" used by the court in the trial that convicted Workers' Party leaders should be applied, even if they are "controversial."

"I expect the Supreme Court to make the same judgment, to apply the same legal arguments – however controversial they may be – so that there are no doubts about the technical nature of the decision. Because, otherwise, society will wonder if a rule applies to one person but not to others." According to him, "there is doubt as to whether there will be the same rigor with the root of this whole problem, which originated in Minas Gerais. Although the judgment will take place later, the case happened earlier, chronologically speaking," he said.

Haddad argues that the Supreme Court's decision should be respected, but says he considers it "natural" that those convicted will appeal. The outcome of the trial, which involved 37 defendants, was the conviction of 25 accused of involvement in a vote-buying scheme in Congress. The so-called 'Tucano mensalão' – also known as the 'Minas Gerais mensalão' – has as its main figure Congressman Eduardo Azeredo (PSDB-MG), who allegedly diverted public money to finance his reelection campaign for governor of Minas Gerais in 1998.