Brazil landless movement asks São Paulo candidate to review land law

Landless Workers' Movement (MST) activists urged Fernando Haddad, a pre-candidate for governor of São Paulo, to reconsider a state law that regularizes vacant land. The group met with Haddad on Wednesday to present their case.

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The law is contested in the STF (Supreme Federal Court), in an action filed by the PT itself, in a judgment suspended since May, after a request for review by Gilmar Mendes.

The law in question was approved in São Paulo during the administration of Rodrigo Garcia in 2022 and implemented by Tarcísio de Freitas. It is currently facing a challenge at the Supreme Federal Court, initiated by the PT party. The case has been suspended since May after Justice Gilmar Mendes requested more time to review it. Justice Cármen Lúcia, the rapporteur, has already voted to annul the law.

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The government argues that the process regularizes the possession of lands in disputes that have lasted for decades and favors settlements, especially in the Pontal do Paranapanema region.

Government officials argue that the legislation helps regularize possession of lands involved in decades-long disputes and supports settlements, particularly in the Pontal do Paranapanema region. However, the MST and other movements accuse the measure of legitimizing large estates on land that could be allocated for agrarian reform.

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The MST, among other movements, accuses the measure of legalizing large landholdings in areas that could be destined for agrarian reform.

In exchange for Haddad's support, MST leaders offered to campaign for him in the ten regions where the movement operates. They also presented other proposals for his government program, including a reforestation plan and the creation of a public cooperative company.

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Movement leaders offered to campaign for Haddad in the ten regions where the MST operates and presented other proposals for his government program.