The São Paulo Deliberative Council meets this Friday to vote on impeaching president Julio Casares, weakened by financial misconduct suspicions and loss of allied support. The hybrid session, court-approved, requires 75% quorum and two-thirds votes for removal. Police probe into suspicious club transactions has escalated the crisis.
The São Paulo Deliberative Council begins voting this Friday (16) at 6:30 p.m. on the impeachment of Julio Casares, club president since 2021. A ruling from the 3rd Civil Court of Butantã, by Judge Luciane Cristina Silva Tavares, allowed the hybrid format with in-person attendance at the Morumbi Noble Hall and online participation, overriding the management's initial preference for in-person only. The club's appeal was denied by the 1st Private Law Chamber of the TJ-SP, under Judge Mônica Rodrigues Dias de Carvalho.
Of 254 eligible councilors, 191 are needed for minimum quorum (75%) and 171 favorable votes (two-thirds) to remove Casares immediately. The opposition, initially pessimistic, gained momentum from the defection of four groups from the ruling coalition: Legião, Vanguarda, Sempre Tricolor, and Participação, Casares' own slate. These groups estimate 128 pro-impeachment votes, plus opposition, totaling at least 182.
Vice-president Harry Massis Junior, 80, a lifelong councilor and member since 1964, pledged support for removal and would assume the role if approved. A businessman owning Hotel Massis in São Paulo, he marks a major betrayal. Casares now relies only on Força São Paulo and Movimento São Paulo, totaling 67 councilors.
The crisis intensified with a Police Civil investigation at DPPC, under secrecy, into R$1.5 million received in cash and 35 withdrawals totaling R$11 million from club accounts, per Coaf report. The Public Security Secretariat stated: "The investigations are ongoing at DPPC, which is why details are preserved to ensure police autonomy".
Casares' lawyers, Daniel Bialski and Bruno Borragine, asserted: the transactions "have a licit and legitimate origin, compatible with the evolution of the executive's financial capacity," from prior high-paying corporate roles. Earlier, audios exposed an alleged illegal ticket sales scheme for the presidential box at Morumbi during concerts. The advisory council of former presidents initially opposed impeachment, but police revelations shifted support in recent days.
If passed, an assembly of about 50,000 members will be called within 30 days for ratification by simple majority.
