Sebastião Melo

Melo was born on 24 July 1958. He was born and raised in Piracanjuba, in the interior of the state of Goiás. He moved to Porto Alegre in February 1978. He is married to Valéria Leopoldino, with whom he has two children: Pablo Melo and João Arthur.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-01 |title=Filho do prefeito de Porto Alegre, Pablo Melo testa positivo para a covid-19 |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/01/filho-do-prefeito-de-porto-alegre-pablo-melo-testa-positivo-para-a-covid-19-ckjenyvp8002s017wc8wl8qsx.html |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

He graduated with a law degree from Unisinos.{{Cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Fábio|date=2020-11-27 |title=O militante articulado que chamou a atenção de senador do MDB: a trajetória de Sebastião Melo até a disputa da prefeitura de Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/eleicoes/noticia/2020/11/o-militante-articulado-que-chamou-a-atencao-de-senador-do-mdb-a-trajetoria-de-sebastiao-melo-ate-a-disputa-da-prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-cki0r8ycm004h014l791m16a3.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=GZH |publisher= |language=pt-BR}}

Melo became a city councilman in Porto Alegre for the first time in 2000, after he ran for four other positions, but was not elected.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=27 September 2016 |title=Cozinha goiana com tempero político |url=http://www.mdb-rs.org.br/?publicação=cozinha_goiana_com_tempero_político-22669 |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=MDB Rio Grande do Sul |publisher=}} He was reelected in 2004 and 2008. In 2007, he was chosen to be the president of the Municipal Chamber of Porto Alegre,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-08-05 |title=Sebastião Melo é lançado candidato do PMDB a prefeito de Porto Alegre |url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/noticia/2016/08/sebastiao-melo-e-lancado-candidato-do-pmdb-prefeito-de-porto-alegre.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-br}} which he served as from 2008 to 2009.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=17 October 2016 |title=Melo rejeita privatizar empresas públicas de Porto Alegre |url=https://www.jornaldocomercio.com/_conteudo/2016/10/politica/526366-melo-rejeita-privatizar-empresas-publicas-de-porto-alegre.html |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=Jornal do Comércio |publisher=}}

File:2012 SEBASTIÃO MELO CANDIDATO VICE-PREFEITO RS PORTO ALEGRE TSE (210000010187).jpg

Melo was chosen by the state PMDB branch to run as the vice-mayoral pick of José Fortunati, a member of the Democratic Labour Party (PDT) and a mayoral candidate in Porto Alegre in 2012. With Fortunati's victory in the first round, Melo became vice-mayor on 1 January 2013.{{Cite web |last=Gabriel Cardoso |date=2013-01-01 |title=Fortunati toma posse para mais 4 anos de mandato em Porto Alegre |url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2013/01/fortunati-toma-posse-para-mais-4-anos-de-mandato-em-porto-alegre.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-br}} He became an honorary citizen of Porto Alegre in 2016, through a chamber initiative.{{Cite web |last=Carlos Scomazzon |date=19 December 2016 |title=Sebastião Melo receberá título de Cidadão |url=http://www.camarapoa.rs.gov.br/noticias/sebastiao-melo-recebera-titulo-de-cidadao |access-date=2018-10-10 |website=Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre |publisher=}}

In 2016, Melo was the candidate for the mayorship of PMDB, with state deputy Juliana Brizola, of the PDT, as the vice-mayoral candidate on the ticket. In the first round, they received 185,655 votes (25.93%). They came in second place behind Nelson Marchezan Júnior, and both qualified for the second round.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-10-02 |title=Candidatos derrotados no 1º turno de Porto Alegre comentam resultado |url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/noticia/2016/10/candidatos-derrotados-no-1-turno-de-porto-alegre-comentam-resultado.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-br}}

Melo received a diverse array of support, including from the PCdoB, the PMN, and from the PV's candidate, Marcelo Chiodo, even as his party supported Marchezan Júnior.{{Cite web |last=Samantha Klein |date=26 October 2016 |title=Lideranças do PCdoB anunciam apoio à candidatura de Sebastião Melo |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/lideran%C3%A7as-do-pcdob-anunciam-apoio-%C3%A0-candidatura-de-sebasti%C3%A3o-melo-1.215568 |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=Correio do Povo |publisher=}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-10-07 |title=Chiodo contraria cúpula do PV de novo e apoia Melo no 2º turno |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/noticia/2016/10/chiodo-contraria-cupula-do-pv-de-novo-e-apoia-melo-no-2-turno-7705448.html |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=GZH |publisher=}} He also positioned himself as more to the left, announcing his support for the fight against PEC 241, which established a ceiling for public spending for twenty years in Brazil, also going against the national position of his party.{{Cite web |last=Fábio Schaffner |date=2016-10-31 |title=Derrota em Porto Alegre traz à tona um PMDB fragmentado e ressentido |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/eleicoes-2016/noticia/2016/10/derrota-em-porto-alegre-traz-a-tona-um-pmdb-fragmentado-e-ressentido-8102908.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=GZH |publisher= |language=pt-BR}}

Along with this, he affirmed his position against proposed laws inspired by Escola sem Partido, a conservative movement.{{Cite web |last=Ricardo Galhardo |date=28 October 2016 |title=Em Porto Alegre, peemedebista vai contra Temer para ter voto petista |url=https://politica.estadao.com.br/noticias/eleicoes,em-porto-alegre-peemedebista-vai-contra-temer-para-ter-voto-petista,10000084927 |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=Estadão |publisher=}} Melo declared that he had an "identity of struggles" with the left, since he came from the "old MDB", as the party was the main political force against the military dictatorship. As a candidate, he had shown opposition against the privatization of public companies, such as DMAE, Procempa and Carris, and defended participatory budgeting.

After a tense campaign with constant trading of accusations between him and Marchezan Júnior, Melo was defeated in the second round, receiving 262,601 votos (39.50%).{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-10-26 |title=Candidatos de Porto Alegre trocam farpas em propaganda eleitoral |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/candidatos-de-porto-alegre-trocam-farpas-em-propaganda-eleitoral-20362257 |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=O Globo |publisher=Grupo Globo}}

After the election, on analyzing his defeat in an interview, Melo criticized the possibility that the MDB would become a part of his adversary's administration.{{Cite web |last=Marcus Meneghetti |date=10 November 2016 |title=Sebastião Melo rompe o silêncio e analisa sua derrota |url=https://www.jornaldocomercio.com/_conteudo/2016/11/politica/530692-sebastiao-melo-rompe-o-silencio-e-analisa-sua-derrota.html |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=Jornal do Comércio |publisher=}} In 2018, the party became a part of the Marchezan administration.{{Cite web |last=Camila Diesel |date=2018-12-19 |title=MDB de Porto Alegre decide ingressar no governo Marchezan Jr. |url=https://guaiba.com.br/2018/12/19/mdb-de-porto-alegre-decide-ingressar-no-governo-marchezan-jr/ |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=Rádio Guaíba |publisher=}}

On 17 October 2016, during his campaign for the second round, the executive-coordinator of Melo's campaign, Plínio Zalewski, was found dead at the PMDB's base of operations in the Centro Histórico neighborhood. He was one of the campaign's principal spokespersons, and would be eulogized by Melo in the wake of his death.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-10-17 |title=Coordenador da campanha de Sebastião Melo é encontrado morto em Porto Alegre |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/coordenador-da-campanha-de-sebastiao-melo-encontrado-morto-em-porto-alegre-20303091 |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=O Globo |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-BR}} He was buried the following day. The main hypothesis is that he died by suicide with a cold weapon. At the place where he died, a suicide letter was found.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-10-18 |title=Corpo de coordenador de campanha de Sebastião Melo é sepultado |url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/noticia/2016/10/corpo-de-coordenador-de-campanha-de-sebastiao-melo-e-sepultado.html |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-br}} The PMDB temporarily suspended the campaign for 24 hours.

During the 2018 elections, Melo became a state deputy in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, receiving 34,881 votes.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=8 October 2018 |title=Veja quem são os 55 deputados estaduais eleitos pelo Rio Grande do Sul |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2018/noticia/2018/10/08/veja-quem-sao-os-55-deputados-estaduais-eleitos-pelo-rio-grande-do-sul.ghtml |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo}}

In June 2020, Melo launched his pre-candidacy to run for mayor again, bolstered by a unanimous intra-party vote.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 June 2020 |title=Sebastião Melo é confirmado como pré-candidato do MDB na disputa de Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/sebasti%C3%A3o-melo-%C3%A9-confirmado-como-pr%C3%A9-candidato-do-mdb-na-disputa-de-porto-alegre-1.431525 |access-date=2 September 2020|website=Correio do Povo |publisher=}} His vice-mayoral candidate was Ricardo Gomes (DEM). Other members of his coalition included Cidadania, Solidariedade, Christian Democracy, and the PRTB. Despite the PSL, the former party of former president Jair Bolsonaro, officially supporting Marchezan Júnior's reelection campaign, some deputies from the party campaigned for Melo.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-11-08 |title=Mais um deputado do PSL abandona Marchezan e faz campanha para Melo em Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2020/11/mais-um-deputado-do-psl-abandona-marchezan-e-faz-campanha-para-melo-em-porto-alegre-ckh9nc2bn00180170xsgq2yub.html |access-date=2020-11-17 |website=GZH |publisher=}}

In the first round, he received 200,280 votes (31%), and advanced to the second round against Manuela d'Ávila, who received 187,262 (29%).{{Cite web |last=Jéssica Otoboni |date=15 November 2020 |title=Sebastião Melo (MDB) e Manuela d'Ávila (PCdoB) vão ao 2º turno em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/2020/11/15/sebastiao-melo-mdb-e-manuela-davila-pcdob-vao-ao-2-turno-em-porto-alegre |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=CNN Brasil |publisher= |language=pt-BR}} Melo received support from Gustavo Paim (PP), Valter Nagelstein (PSD), João Derly (Republicanos), and from the PSDB.{{Cite web |last=Mateus Ferraz |date=2020-11-16 |title=Melo e Manuela começam a receber apoios para o segundo turno em Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/eleicoes/noticia/2020/11/melo-e-manuela-comecam-a-receber-apoios-para-o-segundo-turno-em-porto-alegre-ckhl4470j0039016g7y54bikl.html |access-date=2020-11-17 |website=GZH |publisher=}}{{Cite web |last=Aristoteles Junior |date=2020-11-17 |title=Derly e Nagelstein oficializam apoio a Melo no segundo turno de Porto Alegre |url=https://guaiba.com.br/2020/11/17/joao-derly-oficializa-apoio-a-melo-no-segundo-turno-de-porto-alegre/ |access-date=2020-11-27 |website=Rádio Guaíba |publisher= |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=23 November 2020 |title=PSDB irá apoiar Sebastião Melo no segundo turno em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/psdb-ir%C3%A1-apoiar-sebasti%C3%A3o-melo-no-segundo-turno-em-porto-alegre-1.525648 |access-date=24 November 2020 |website=Correio do Povo}}

Melo was elected in the second round with 370,550 votes, or 54.63% of the vote.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=29 November 2020 |title=Sebastião Melo, do MDB, é eleito prefeito de Porto Alegre |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2020/noticia/2020/11/29/sebastiao-melo-do-mdb-e-eleito-prefeito-de-porto-alegre.ghtml |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-br}}

During the elections, Jornal da Band released false polling that showed Melo in the lead against d'Ávila. Melo's camapaign would later post their findings onto his Instagram account. Jornal da Band would later correct the polling data and Melo's campaign removed the post from social media.{{Cite web |last=Rebeca Borges |date=2020-11-29 |title=Melo compartilha pesquisa falsa sobre intenção de voto em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/eleicoes-2020/melo-compartilha-pesquisa-falsa-sobre-intencao-de-voto-em-porto-alegre?amp |access-date=2020-12-07 |website=Metrópoles |publisher=}} He was later condemned by electoral courts under the Brazilian Election Justice and was made to pay 106,000 reais for spreading false information. The judge that made the decision made the call to forward the case to the Federal Police for a criminal investigation.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-12-13 |title=Prefeito eleito de Porto Alegre é condenado por divulgar pesquisa falsa na véspera da eleição |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/prefeito-eleito-de-porto-alegre-condenado-por-divulgar-pesquisa-falsa-na-vespera-da-eleicao-24795251 |access-date=2020-12-23 |website=O Globo |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-BR}} Melo and Gomes were fined again through the Election Justice for 41,900 reais for a series of irregularities in the campaign's finances, including the use of provisions to print religiously styled pamphlets that displayed him appearing alongside city council candidates from the PTB, a party that had not formally become a member of his coalition.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-05 |title=Justiça eleitoral multa Melo e Gomes por irregularidades nas contas de campanha |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/02/justica-eleitoral-multa-melo-e-gomes-por-irregularidades-nas-contas-de-campanha-ckkshws10004m017wj9p24ver.html |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

Allies of Melo also went around the city to spread rumors that if d'Ávila was elected, that she would close the city's churches and force people to eat dog meat.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=Como Melo chegou à prefeitura quatro anos depois de ter perdido o segundo turno para Marchezan |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2020/11/como-melo-chegou-a-prefeitura-quatro-anos-depois-de-ter-perdido-o-segundo-turno-para-marchezan-cki3h78va0039014nnn10g4i5.html |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |title=Melo contraria Ibope e vence Manuela |url=https://valor.globo.com/politica/noticia/2020/11/30/melo-contraria-ibope-e-vence-manuela.ghtml |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=Valor Econômico |date=30 November 2020 |language=pt-br}}

File:210416 Mateus Raugust PMPA 001.jpg

Melo named Porto Alegre councilman and former mayor of Santa Maria, Cezar Schirmer, as his transition coordinator for the transition between the Marchezan government and his.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 December 2020 |title=Cezar Schirmer é confirmado como coordenador da transição de Melo na Prefeitura |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/cezar-schirmer-%C3%A9-confirmado-como-coordenador-da-transi%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-melo-na-prefeitura-1.530756 |access-date=2020-12-03 |website=Correio do Povo |publisher= |language=pt-br}} In his inaugural speech on 1 January 2021, Melo affirmed that was necessary to "raise the optimism" for the city, as the city, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had been going through rough times economically and socially.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1 January 2021 |title='É preciso levantar o otimismo da nossa cidade', diz Melo em posse como prefeito de Porto Alegre |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/01/01/prefeito-sebastiao-melo-e-vereadores-de-porto-alegre-tomam-posse-veja-lista-de-eleitos.ghtml |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=G1 RS |publisher=Grupo Globo |language=pt-br}}

One of the first acts under Melo's administration was to buy, among other medicines, azithromycin, ivermectin, and hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine – the latter of two which had been approved for the treatment of malaria – to supposedly combat COVID-19, despite multiple studies showing that all the medicines bought were ineffective towards treating the virus.{{Cite journal |title=Prefeitura de Porto Alegre anuncia distribuição de remédios sem eficácia comprovada contra a Covid-19 |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/01/08/prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-anuncia-distribuicao-de-remedios-sem-eficacia-comprovada-contra-a-covid-19.ghtml |journal=G1 |date=8 January 2021 |language=pt-BR |access-date=2021-01-14}} The controversial decision was brought to suit by PSOL, which alleged that his administration was using public money to buy the medicine.{{Cite web |last=Simões* |first=Flávia |title=PSol entra com ação judicial contra o prefeito Sebastião Melo devido ao "kit Covid" |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/psol-entra-com-a%C3%A7%C3%A3o-judicial-contra-o-prefeito-sebasti%C3%A3o-melo-devido-ao-kit-covid-1.552224 |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=Correio do Povo |date=12 January 2021 |language=pt-br}} The measure was also criticized by the council of the Faculty of Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul that asked for the immediate suspension of their distribution.{{Cite web |last=Figueiró |first=Vítor |title=Faculdade de medicina da Ufrgs critica distribuição de "Kit Covid" em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/faculdade-de-medicina-da-ufrgs-critica-distribui%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-kit-covid-em-porto-alegre-1.555283 |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=Correio do Povo |date=15 January 2021 |language=pt-br}} Melo justified the purchase with the Ministry of Medicine by stating that people in the middle and upper-middle classes, and their friends, were taking the medicine.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-21 |title=Após pedir 25 mil doses ao Ministério da Saúde, Melo diz que prefeitura não fará campanha para uso da hidroxicloroquina |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/saude/noticia/2021/01/apos-pedir-25-mil-doses-ao-ministerio-da-saude-melo-diz-que-prefeitura-nao-fara-campanha-para-uso-da-hidroxicloroquina-ckk6wwemz0024019wxvx66gml.html |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} In total, the city government bought 239,000 reais worth of the medications, which they packaged into what they called the "COVID kit". Along with their ineffectiveness, it has been reported that the use of the medications combined over a long period and in high doses could lead to liver and renal damage, leading to the need for a liver transplant or possibly death.{{Cite web |last=Saúde |first=iG |date=2021-03-23 |title=Três pessoas morreram após usarem 'kit covid' em São Paulo |url=https://saude.ig.com.br/2021-03-23/tres-pessoas-morreram-apos-usarem--kit-covid--em-sao-paulo.html |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=Saúde |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-24 |title=Ao menos quatro pacientes que tomaram 'kit-Covid' aguardam transplante de fígado em hospitais de SP |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/sociedade/ao-menos-quatro-pacientes-que-tomaram-kit-covid-aguardam-transplante-de-figado-em-hospitais-de-sp-1-24938473 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=O Globo |language=pt-BR}}

In February, the Justice ministry prohibited, in a liminary decision, the city from distributing the kit.{{Cite web |last=OPPITZ |first=TALINE |title=Justiça proíbe prefeitura de Porto Alegre de distribuir o chamado Kit Covid |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/colunistas/taline-oppitz/justi%C3%A7a-pro%C3%ADbe-prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-de-distribuir-o-chamado-kit-covid-1.569416 |access-date=2021-02-11 |website=Correio do Povo |date=11 February 2021 |language=pt-br}} In the decision, the judge argued that the prohibition would be necessary while robust evidence, based on clinical studies and recognized by the scientific community, did not exist. Furthermore, the judge stated that the obligation of the public power, especially in health, must always be based in the preservation of the public good, and that it is not agreeable to any possibility that could create risks and turn back from the principle of precaution. The city government appealed the decision and had, by the start of March, again been denied the authorization to distribute the medicine that had already been deemed ineffective and harmful in the public sphere.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=TJ mantém suspensão da distribuição do "kit Covid" em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/tj-mant%C3%A9m-suspens%C3%A3o-da-distribui%C3%A7%C3%A3o-do-kit-covid-em-porto-alegre-1.583400 |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=Correio do Povo |date=9 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}

At the beginning of May, the base allied with Melo in the Municipal Chamber approved a proposal that permitted the free distribution of medication for the supposed treatment of COVID-19 that had been released by the health ministry.{{Cite web |title=Aprovado projeto sobre disponibilização de medicamentos pela Secretaria Municipal da Saúde |url=https://www.camarapoa.rs.gov.br/noticias/aprovado-projeto-sobre-disponibilizacao-de-medicamentos-pela-secretaria-municipal-da-saude |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre |language=pt-BR}} The project was seen as a way to attempt to circumvent the court's decision.{{Cite web |title=Vereadores de Porto Alegre aprovam projeto para driblar decisão judicial e permitir distribuição gratuita do "kit covid" {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/05/vereadores-de-porto-alegre-aprovam-projeto-para-driblar-decisao-judicial-e-permitir-distribuicao-gratuita-do-kit-covid-ckobyk4wj00bj018mrf8ssm9c.html |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=10 May 2021 }}

The city government relaxed regulations on the use of masks on city buses, a decision contested by specialists who stated that the policy would enable the spread of COVID-19.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-06 |title=Porto Alegre flexibiliza o uso de máscara em ônibus para crianças de até três anos e pessoas com autismo |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/01/porto-alegre-flexibiliza-o-uso-de-mascara-em-onibus-para-criancas-de-ate-tres-anos-e-pessoas-com-autismo-ckjm0mcyj002c019w5y8i3xka.html |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} The other measures to loosen anti-pandemic protocols were criticized by health researchers for bringing risks to public health.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-14 |title=Especialistas criticam estratégia de Melo para liberação do comércio: 'não possui evidência de controle eficaz' |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/ultimas-noticias/coronavirus/2021/01/especialistas-criticam-estrategia-de-melo-para-enfrentamento-a-covid-19-como-pedir-para-usar-capacete-durante-tiroteio/ |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=Sul 21 |language=pt-BR}} Ahead of the acceleration of the number of people infected, the municipal government had to return to prohibiting passengers standing on public transit on 25 February, two days before the policy was set to begin.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Com proibição de ônibus circularem com passageiros em pé, EPTC promete reforço na frota de Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/02/com-proibicao-de-onibus-circularem-com-passageiros-em-pe-eptc-promete-reforco-na-frota-de-porto-alegre-ckll8anhn003y0198p07esblt.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |last=Guaíba |first=Guilherme Kepler / Rádio |title=Porto Alegre tem ônibus com passageiros em pé após medidas restritivas |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/porto-alegre-tem-%C3%B4nibus-com-passageiros-em-p%C3%A9-ap%C3%B3s-medidas-restritivas-1.577149 |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=Correio do Povo |date=26 February 2021 |language=pt-br}} Meanwhile, the government was not able to adapt to the restriction, and users of public transit reported waiting more than an hour and a half at stops.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-01 |title=Passageiros reclamam de falta de ônibus em Porto Alegre nesta segunda-feira |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/03/passageiros-reclamam-de-falta-de-onibus-em-porto-alegre-nesta-segunda-feira-cklqor3o500430166szciwdwy.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} The city government argued that there would be more than 400 professionals taken out of work because they had contracted COVID-19 or had a family member with the virus.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-02 |title=Após mais um dia com reclamações, EPTC reforça linhas de ônibus em pontos críticos e diz que problemas são pontuais |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/03/apos-mais-um-dia-com-reclamacoes-eptc-reforca-linhas-de-onibus-em-pontos-criticos-e-diz-que-problemas-sao-pontuais-ckls7ofcq005r0166r7bfl0nj.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

Even with the acceleration of the transmission of COVID-19 in the city and the increase in the occupation of beds at hospitals, Melo maintained the plan to recommence classes in municipal schools on 22 February 2021. He had only cancelled the beginning of the school year when the city had been put under the black flag category, the highest category for social distancing, due to a high risk of infections.{{Cite web |title=Prefeitura de Porto Alegre diz que não vai recorrer da bandeira preta; aulas presenciais estão suspensas |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/02/19/prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-diz-que-nao-vai-recorrer-da-bandeira-preta-aulas-presenciais-estao-suspensas.ghtml |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=G1 |date=19 February 2021 |language=pt-br}}

A part of the municipal schools would return to opening at the beginning of May, even if some of the teachers had not been vaccinated, in contrast to what had been happening in neighboring cities such as Esteio and São Leopoldo.{{Cite web |title=Escolas municipais reabrem para retorno de alunos do 3º ao 5º ano em Porto Alegre, diz prefeitura |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/05/10/escolas-municipais-reabrem-para-retorno-de-alunos-do-3o-ao-5o-ano-em-porto-alegre-diz-prefeitura.ghtml |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=G1 |date=11 May 2021 |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |title=Justiça do RS decide manter vacinação de professores contra Covid, em Esteio |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/05/09/justica-do-rs-decide-manter-vacinacao-de-professores-contra-covid-em-esteio.ghtml |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=G1 |date=9 May 2021 |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |title=São Leopoldo inicia vacinação de professores contra a Covid com doses sobressalentes |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/05/04/sao-leopoldo-inicia-vacinacao-de-professores-contra-a-covid-com-doses-sobressalentes.ghtml |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=G1 |date=4 May 2021 |language=pt-br}} Days before, the teachers had called for protests against returning to in-person classes during the middle of the pandemic without vaccination.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-07 |title=Justiça diz que greve de educadores é legal; Prefeitura estuda contratação privada de professores |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/ultimas-noticias/politica/2021/05/justica-diz-que-greve-de-educadores-e-legal-prefeitura-estuda-contratacao-privada-de-professores/ |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=Sul 21 |language=pt-BR}}

The resurgence of the pandemic began in February 2021, after a month of relative stability in the spread of the disease. In the beginning of February, the municipal secretary of health, Mauro Sparta, had declared that "the worst has already passed", even against warnings by specialists who said that this was not true and that there was an increase in Covid cases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-02 |title=Por que o secretário de Saúde de Porto Alegre acredita que "o pior já passou" |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/paulo-germano/noticia/2021/02/por-que-o-secretario-de-saude-de-porto-alegre-acredita-que-o-pior-ja-passou-ckkokfd40009d017wifmpjlxi.html |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |date=2021-01-22 |title=Mapa preliminar coloca 78% da população gaúcha em bandeira vermelha, com alto risco de contaminação |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/ultimas-noticias/coronavirus/2021/01/mapa-preliminar-coloca-78-da-populacao-gaucha-em-bandeira-vermelha-com-alto-risco-de-contaminacao/ |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=Sul 21 |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite journal |title='Tragédia anunciada': os fatores que levaram a região Sul ao colapso com mortes por covid |url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/brasil-56302373 |journal=BBC News Brasil |language=pt-BR |access-date=2021-03-12}} The municipality would maintain, for 45 days, softer measures to combat the spread of the virus compared to the previous administration.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-10 |title=Com restrições mais brandas, decreto detalha protocolos para setores da economia operarem em Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/01/com-restricoes-mais-brandas-decreto-detalha-protocolos-para-setores-da-economia-operarem-em-porto-alegre-ckjqhgwww002s017wzz7sdi6t.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} During the month of February, specialists and researchers had alerted e published their concerns on the risk of the municipal's health system collapsing.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-17 |title=Covid-19: 'A sociedade está em xeque total. Estamos à beira do colapso nos próximos dias' |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/ultimas-noticias/coronavirus/2021/02/covid-19-a-sociedade-esta-em-xeque-total-estamos-a-beira-do-colapso-nos-proximos-dias/ |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=Sul 21 |language=pt-BR}}

On 23 February, Porto Alegre was classified again in the black flag category. However, Melo preferred to use the mechanism of "co-management", which would permit the various regions of the state to follow the standards of the prior designation that they had been classified, in this case being the red flag category.{{Cite web |title=Cogestão: Porto Alegre adota bandeira vermelha; São Leopoldo mantém bandeira preta |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/02/22/cogestao-porto-alegre-adota-bandeira-vermelha-sao-leopoldo-mantem-bandeira-preta.ghtml |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=G1 |date=23 February 2021 |language=pt-br}} The softening of measures led to the spread of COVID-19 and also led to the overcrowding of urgent care units (UPAs) and health outposts in the city by up to 400%, alongside record numbers of those hospitalized and a line of 113 people attempting to fill vacancies at these medical centers by the end of the month.{{Cite web |title=UPAs e postos de saúde de Porto Alegre têm mais um dia de superlotação devido à Covid-19 |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/02/25/upas-e-postos-de-saude-de-porto-alegre-tem-mais-um-dia-de-superlotacao-devido-a-covid-19.ghtml |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=G1 |date=25 February 2021 |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-26 |title=Com 408 internados, UTIs de Porto Alegre atingem maior ocupação por covid-19 da pandemia |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/saude/noticia/2021/02/com-408-internados-utis-de-porto-alegre-atingem-maior-ocupacao-por-covid-19-da-pandemia-ckllonlpb000p0166dkvb5rpv.html |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} In an interview on a day with record hospitalizations, Melo asked that the people of the city contribute with their lives to save the economy of the city: "Contribute with your family, your city, your life, so that we can save the economy of the municipality of Porto Alegre." The statement generated controversy nationally and internationally.{{Cite web |last1=Minas |first1=Estado de |last2=Minas |first2=Estado de |date=2021-02-25 |title='Contribua com a sua vida para que a gente salve a economia', diz prefeito |url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/nacional/2021/02/25/interna_nacional,1241134/contribua-com-a-sua-vida-para-que-a-gente-salve-a-economia-diz-prefeito.shtml |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=Estado de Minas |language=pt-BR}}

Just a day after reaching record levels, the leader of Melo's government in the Municipal Chamber of Porto Alegre, Idenir Cecchim, accused the director of the Hospital de Clínicas of "spreading terror" in giving alerts about the overcrowding at the institution.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Vereador desrespeita o esforço da presidente do Hospital de Clínicas para salvar vidas |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/02/vereador-desrespeita-o-esforco-da-presidente-do-hospital-de-clinicas-para-salvar-vidas-cklk5d5p1003m0198u6jrnjmy.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

Ahead of the imminent collapse of the city's health system, governor Eduardo Leite decided to decree the entirety of the state of Rio Grande do Sul under the black flag category starting on 27 February, with no possibility of co-management.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Leite antecipa que todo o RS entra em bandeira preta a partir de sábado |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/02/leite-antecipa-que-todo-o-rs-entra-em-bandeira-preta-a-partir-de-sabado-cklle0gzt00590198f61wvewk.html |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} Melo asserted that he disagreed with Leite's decision, but would still comply.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=Melo discorda de decisão estadual, mas afirma que respeitará bandeira preta em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/melo-discorda-de-decis%C3%A3o-estadual-mas-afirma-que-respeitar%C3%A1-bandeira-preta-em-porto-alegre-1.576836 |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=Correio do Povo |date=25 February 2021 |language=pt-br}} The mayor, however, continued to criticize, through social media, the more restrictive rules to slow down the spread of COVID-19 that were implemented by the state government.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=Melo publica foto em fila de supermercado e critica restrição |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/melo-publica-foto-em-fila-de-supermercado-e-critica-restri%C3%A7%C3%A3o-1.577666 |access-date=2021-02-28 |website=Correio do Povo |date=26 February 2021 |language=pt-br}}

On 28 February, hospital beds reached 100% capacity for the first time and still continued to rise, with the wait list for beds also increasing.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=Porto Alegre ultrapassa a marca de 100% de ocupação em UTIs |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/porto-alegre-ultrapassa-a-marca-de-100-de-ocupa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-em-utis-1.577909 |access-date=2021-02-28 |website=Correio do Povo |date=27 February 2021 |language=pt-br}} The overcrowding indicated that part of the services for patients in beds would be improvised.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-11 |title=RS chega ao 10º dia com mais de 100% de ocupação geral de leitos de UTI |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/03/rs-chega-ao-10o-dia-com-mais-de-100-de-ocupacao-geral-de-leitos-de-uti-ckm5dflbv008q0198se2k18bb.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} On 2 March, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, the largest of the hospitals within private networks in Rio Grande do Sul, had to rent a container in order to store the bodies of dead patients at the hospital, since the morgue in the hospital had also reached capacity.{{Cite web |title=Hospital Moinhos de Vento aluga contêiner para colocar corpos, em Porto Alegre: 'É um campo de guerra', diz superintendente |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/03/02/e-um-campo-de-guerra-diz-superintendente-do-hospital-moinhos-de-vento-em-porto-alegre.ghtml |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=G1 |date=2 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}

The collapse of the health system continued with daily records of hospitalizations in the city.{{Cite web |last=Hofmeister |first=Naira |date=2021-03-07 |title=Rio Grande do Sul vive colapso da saúde, com 100% de UTIs ocupadas, sem leitos e sem horizonte de melhora |url=https://brasil.elpais.com/brasil/2021-03-07/rio-grande-do-sul-vive-colapso-da-saude-com-100-de-utis-ocupadas-sem-leitos-e-sem-horizonte-de-melhora.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=EL PAÍS |language=pt-br}} In the Hospital de Clínicas, there were not enough specialized respirators.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-07 |title=Entenda o drama dos médicos com a falta de respiradores no Hospital de Clínicas |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/03/entenda-o-drama-dos-medicos-com-a-falta-de-respiradores-no-hospital-de-clinicas-cklz9sx5o000z01986stzall7.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} Along with this, health professionals had to choose which patients they should intubate, due to a lack of beds.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-11 |title=Palmas para os homens e mulheres que correm riscos para salvar vidas |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/03/palmas-para-os-homens-e-mulheres-que-correm-riscos-para-salvar-vidas-ckm5fb69w009m0198ujuwutxl.html |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} Some patients went to be intubated at hospitals and would die there.{{Cite journal |title='Pacientes são intubados na emergência e morrem lá mesmo': o colapso da saúde em Porto Alegre, onde hospital aluga contêiner para acomodar mortos |url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/brasil-56272391 |journal=BBC News Brasil |language=pt-BR |access-date=2021-03-12}} At Hospital da Restinga, patients in the overcrowded emergency ward received care sitting in chairs due to the lack of stretchers.{{Cite journal |last1=Londoño |first1=Ernesto |last2=Casado |first2=Letícia |last3=Lima |first3=Mauricio |date=2021-03-27 |title=A Collapse Foretold: How Brazil's Covid-19 Outbreak Overwhelmed Hospitals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/27/world/americas/virus-brazil-bolsonaro.html |journal=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=2021-03-27}} In some hospitals, some patients died in the hospital corridors due to a lack of beds.

On 5 March, the state government also announced a fine of up to 4,000 real for those who did not wear masks, in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19.{{Cite web |title=Governo do RS anuncia multa de até R$ 4.000 para quem não usar máscara |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/saude/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/03/05/governo-do-rs-anuncia-multa-de-ate-r-4-mil-para-quem-nao-usar-mascara.htm |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=noticias.uol.com.br |language=pt-br}} Melo, however, declared that the city would not apply the standard, saying he would not have people abide by the decision and that the usage of prevention methods would depend on the "conscience" of people.{{Cite web |last=Bemfica |first=Flavia |title="Para mim a cogestão está terminada", diz Sebastião Melo |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/para-mim-a-cogest%C3%A3o-est%C3%A1-terminada-diz-sebasti%C3%A3o-melo-1.584599 |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=Correio do Povo |date=11 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}

The municipality sought to disperse encampments at different points in the city,{{Cite web |date=2020-09-12 |title=Guarda Municipal de Porto Alegre dispersa aglomerações durante a madrugada |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2020/09/12/guarda-municipal-de-porto-alegre-dispersa-aglomeracoes-durante-a-madrugada.ghtml |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=G1 |language=pt-br}} primarily in the Cidade Baixa neighborhood,{{Cite web |date=2020-11-28 |title=Guarda Municipal dispersa aglomerações em diversos pontos de Porto Alegre |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2020/11/28/guarda-municipal-dispersa-aglomeracoes-em-diversos-pontos-de-porto-alegre.ghtml |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=G1 |language=pt-br}} considered a hotbed for petty crime and drug use.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-18 |title=Ação pede que bares do Centro de Porto Alegre fechem entre 1h e 2h |url=https://www.mprs.mp.br/noticias/urbanistico/42033/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Ministério Público do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul |language=pt}} On the 10th and 14th of March, two anti-government protests called for the reopening of local businesses and military intervention, respectively. They were held despite guidance against large gatherings. Many were reported to not be wearing masks. Soon after, they dispersed.{{Cite web |title=Grupos contrários ao fechamento do comércio no RS realizam manifestações |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/03/10/grupos-contrarios-ao-fechamento-do-comercio-no-rs-realizam-manifestacoes.ghtml |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=G1 |date=11 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |last=Samuel |first=Felipe |title=Aglomeração marca ato pró-Bolsonaro em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/aglomera%C3%A7%C3%A3o-marca-ato-pr%C3%B3-bolsonaro-em-porto-alegre-1.586339 |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=Correio do Povo |date=14 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}

On 11 March, the number of people hospitalized hit a new record in Porto Alegre, with 800 people diagnosed to have COVID-19, and 43 suspected of being infected, and 187 awaiting beds.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=UTIs de Porto Alegre somam 800 infectados pela Covid-19 |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/utis-de-porto-alegre-somam-800-infectados-pela-covid-19-1.584811 |access-date=2021-03-12 |website=Correio do Povo |date=11 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} Even with this, Melo defended his administration in an interview published that day, businesses generally being open, then reduced by the state's decision to essential sectors.

Due to the large increases in the number of deaths in the city, there were lines at the public records offices to register deaths, during which there waits of up to five hours, including during the early hours of the morning.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-14 |title=Fila de espera para registro de óbito em Porto Alegre passa de cinco horas neste sábado |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/03/fila-de-espera-para-registro-de-obito-em-porto-alegre-passa-de-cinco-horas-neste-sabado-ckm8j5ql9004e0198fem30epo.html |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} The number of burials also increased.{{Cite web |last=Jesus |first=Sidney de |title=Com o agravamento da pandemia, enterros aumentaram 20% em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/com-o-agravamento-da-pandemia-enterros-aumentaram-20-em-porto-alegre-1.586805 |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=Correio do Povo |date=15 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} In total, the quantity of funerals in the city in March of that year was triple of those in March the prior year.{{Cite web |title=Alta da covid-19 causa recorde de sepultamentos em Porto Alegre {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/04/alta-da-covid-19-causa-recorde-de-sepultamentos-em-porto-alegre-ckmy8mvuz00c001980ly2ngxw.html |access-date=2021-04-01 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=April 2021 }} The demand for cremations increased 63% during the middle of March 2021 in comparison with the first three months of the year prior for one crematorium.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-22 |title=Falta de luz provocou fumaça em crematório de Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/03/falta-de-luz-provocou-fumaca-em-crematorio-de-porto-alegre-ckmkuay8a002a016ulanpxluc.html |access-date=2021-03-23 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} In another there was a 230% increase in cremations in comparison with March the year prior. Such was the amount of beds occupied that the waiting list for beds had grown to be days long. The overcrowding hit 116% on 15 March, with 1,204 people hospitalized with only 1,036 vacant beds. The waiting list would become 1270 people. At Hospital de Pronto Socorro, ran by the city, the overcrowding of beds led to 1,075% capacity.{{Cite web |title=RS completa duas semanas com UTIs lotadas; fila de espera tem 270 pacientes em Porto Alegre |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/03/15/rs-completa-duas-semanas-com-utis-lotadas-fila-de-espera-tem-270-pacientes-em-porto-alegre.ghtml |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=G1 |date=15 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}

Various hospitals closed their emergency rooms because of the overcrowding of the units, including two of the largest in the city, Santa Casa and Clínicas.{{Cite web |title=Com superlotação, hospitais de Porto Alegre fecham emergências |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/03/15/com-superlotacao-hospitais-de-porto-alegre-fecham-emergencias.ghtml |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=G1 |date=15 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} In the latter, births were limited as they had no more places in the ICU/neonatal unit. Some pregnant women in the hospitals had COVID-19, with some of them going into intensive care. Some had premature births, with them being directly sent to the ICU.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-15 |title=Hospital de Clínicas restringe partos em razão da superlotação de leitos neonatais |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/03/hospital-de-clinicas-restringe-partos-em-razao-da-superlotacao-de-leitos-neonatais-ckmb49z460055016u47f29czj.html |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} Even ahead of the overcrowding of ICUs and the collapse of the health system, Melo, on 16 March, decreed his opposition to the construction of field hospitals and that it is always the case that more people could be admitted to already existing hospitals.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-16 |title="Sempre vai poder pôr mais alguém", diz Melo sobre superlotação em hospitais |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/03/sempre-vai-poder-por-mais-alguem-diz-melo-sobre-superlotacao-em-hospitais-ckmc82znv003y016u6x8wduk1.html |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

On 21 March, the state government published a decree to authorize the retaking of co-management.{{Cite web |title=Governo do RS publica decreto que autoriza cogestão e detalha restrições; veja regras por setor |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/03/21/governo-do-rs-publica-decreto-que-autoriza-cogestao-e-detalha-restricoes-veja-regras-por-setor.ghtml |access-date=2021-03-22 |website=G1 |date=21 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} Up to that point, Porto Alegre had suffered from an overcapacity of hospital beds for three weeks.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-20 |title=UTIs de Porto Alegre têm ocupação superior a 114% |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/03/utis-de-porto-alegre-tem-ocupacao-superior-a-114-ckmi8klsh00250198hga26gb6.html |access-date=2021-03-22 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} Melo immediately adopted red flag measures, including the reopening of businesses, bars and restaurants, even with the health system collapsing.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=Porto Alegre adotará critérios da bandeira vermelha |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/porto-alegre-adotar%C3%A1-crit%C3%A9rios-da-bandeira-vermelha-1.590431 |access-date=2021-03-22 |website=Correio do Povo |date=21 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} Days after, he admitted to not having any scientific basis for his decision.{{Cite web |last=Bemfica |first=Flavia |title=Melo volta a defender mais flexibilizações, mas admite que não possui base científica |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/melo-volta-a-defender-mais-flexibiliza%C3%A7%C3%B5es-mas-admite-que-n%C3%A3o-possui-base-cient%C3%ADfica-1.592267 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=Correio do Povo |date=24 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} In a public declaration, Melo said that he would not spend not even a cent in hiring new inspectors to implement the laws and confirm if the sanitary protocols have been complied with. Along with this, he reiterated that he would not implement the state decree that required the usage of masks.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-21 |title="Não gastarei nenhum centavo em contratar novos fiscais", diz Melo após Justiça liberar cogestão |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/03/nao-gastarei-nenhum-centavo-em-contratar-novos-fiscais-diz-melo-apos-justica-liberar-cogestao-ckmjk0i81000r016u2xk1dymg.html |access-date=2021-03-22 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

On 26 March, even with hospitals dealing with overcapacity, Melo published a decree allowing for the opening of bars, restaurants, and businesses with hours that were not permitted by the state government.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-26 |title=Prefeitura de Porto Alegre libera restaurantes, bares e comércio aos finais de semana |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/03/prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-libera-restaurantes-bares-e-comercio-aos-finais-de-semana-ckmqws96v009h016ue5r3dsad.html |access-date=2021-03-27 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} The measure was criticized by governor Leite, who alerted that there was an imminent shortage of sedatives for the ICUs in the capital and the moment called for people to stay indoors to avoid the spread of the virus.{{Cite web |title=MP vai ingressar com ação judicial para tentar barrar decreto de Melo {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/saude/noticia/2021/03/mp-vai-ingressar-com-acao-judicial-para-tentar-barrar-decreto-de-melo-ckmqz2p3l009v016udvjsuzyx.html |access-date=2021-03-27 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=27 March 2021 }} The state Public Ministry (MP-RS) brought forth a public civil lawsuit with the Justice against the decree, which was suspended the day after. The municipal government attempted to reimplement the decree, but the State Court of Justice maintained the suspension.{{Cite web |title=TJ mantém suspensão de decreto municipal que permitia abertura do comércio aos finais de semana em Porto Alegre |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/03/28/tj-mantem-suspensao-de-decreto-municipal-que-permitia-abertura-do-comercio-aos-finais-de-semana-em-porto-alegre.ghtml |access-date=2021-04-01 |website=G1 |date=28 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} The attorney general of the Public Ministry, Fabiano Dallazen, also announced that there would be an investigation into Melo's criminal responsibility and that his attitudes as mayor only generated more insecurity in the population.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-27 |title=Justiça suspende decreto da prefeitura de Porto Alegre que liberava restaurantes, bares e comércio aos finais de semana |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/coronavirus-servico/noticia/2021/03/justica-suspende-decreto-da-prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-que-liberava-restaurantes-bares-e-comercio-aos-finais-de-semana-ckmrolt1p00080198itq7js85.html |access-date=2021-03-27 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=Justiça suspende decreto de Porto Alegre para flexibilização na abertura de atividades |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/justi%C3%A7a-suspende-decreto-de-porto-alegre-para-flexibiliza%C3%A7%C3%A3o-na-abertura-de-atividades-1.593838 |access-date=2021-03-27 |website=Correio do Povo |date=27 March 2021 |language=pt-br}}

File:IBPA 78698 - A Prefeitura de Porto Alegre manteve a vacinação contra - 2021-12-14 - Cristine Rochol-PMPA.jpg

Vaccination campaigns began in Porto Alegre on 20 January 2021.{{Cite web |title=Campanha de vacinação contra Covid-19 começa pelo Asilo Padre Cacique {{!}} Prefeitura de Porto Alegre |url=https://prefeitura.poa.br/sms/noticias/campanha-de-vacinacao-contra-covid-19-comeca-pelo-asilo-padre-cacique |access-date=2021-05-03 |website=prefeitura.poa.br}} Starting in January, the municipal government began to not keep second doses of the vaccine, immediately using up all of the supplies that they received from the Programa Nacional de Imunizações (PNI).{{Cite web |title=Por que falta segunda dose da CoronaVac no Brasil? Entenda {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/saude/noticia/2021/04/por-que-falta-segunda-dose-da-coronavac-no-brasil-entenda-cko0k3p4a00860198j2f6vxsv.html |access-date=2021-05-03 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br |date=28 April 2021 |language=pt-BR}} This created delays in second doses by the end of April and the beginning of May, when there was a further delay in the sending out of doses of CoronaVac throughout Brazil. Long lines formed as a result of people waiting for the vaccine, but there were not enough doses to go around, implying that there were people who were immunized during a period longer than the four weeks recommended by the manufacturers.{{Cite web |title=População enfrenta fila e fica sem 2ª dose da CoronaVac em Porto Alegre: 'Cinco horas na chuva', diz mulher |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2021/05/05/populacao-enfrenta-fila-e-fica-sem-2a-dose-da-coronavac-em-porto-alegre-cinco-horas-na-chuva-diz-mulher.ghtml |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=G1 |date=5 May 2021 |language=pt-br}} Melo recorded a video, which was released on social media, apologizing to the populace for the delays and claiming that the Ministry of Health was responsible for the error.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-06 |title=Melo pede desculpas por falta de 2ª dose da CoronaVac e diz que vai passar a reservar vacinas |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/ultimas-noticias/coronavirus/2021/05/melo-pede-desculpas-por-falta-de-2a-dose-da-coronavac-e-diz-que-vai-passar-a-reservar-vacinas/ |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=Sul 21 |language=pt-BR}} Upon receiving the supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the municipal government decided to keep the shots to be able to give a second dose, to avoid the same issue that occurred with the CoronaVac vaccines.{{Cite web |title=Porto Alegre altera planos e vai dividir remessa da vacina da Pfizer entre primeira e segunda doses {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/saude/noticia/2021/05/porto-alegre-altera-planos-e-vai-dividir-remessa-da-vacina-da-pfizer-entre-primeira-e-segunda-doses-ckoamwglh00as018myuzxwage.html |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=5 May 2021 }}

In March, the Consortium of the Association of Municipalities of the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region (Granpal), integrated by Porto Alegre's city government, made a proposal to buy doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that would be meant for, by law, the PNI.{{Cite web |last=Povo |first=Correio do |title=Granpal oficializa proposta para compra de 1,5 milhão de doses da vacina Sputnik V |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/cidades/granpal-oficializa-proposta-para-compra-de-1-5-milh%C3%A3o-de-doses-da-vacina-sputnik-v-1.588514 |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=Correio do Povo |date=18 March 2021 |language=pt-br}} The purchase, however, did not go forward.{{Cite web |title=Melo sobre a compra de vacina por municípios: "Nada avançou. Tem muito atravessador" {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2021/04/melo-sobre-a-compra-de-vacina-por-municipios-nada-avancou-tem-muito-atravessador-cknqlcaxu000001987tm9jbrv.html |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=20 April 2021 }}

Melo increased the number of secretaries from 15 to 19 through administrative reforms approved during his first month in government.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-08 |title=Câmara aprova reforma administrativa e governo Melo terá 19 secretarias |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/cidades/2021/01/camara-aprova-reforma-administrativa-e-governo-melo-tera-19-secretarias/ |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=Sul 21 |language=pt-BR}} Among the most well-known names included Cezar Schirmer, the former mayor of Santa Maria, Luiz Fernando Zachia, former director of Detran-RS, Ana Pelini, former state secretary of the environment, and Cássio Trogildo, former president of the Municipal Chamber of Porto Alegre who had been barred from office by the TSE.{{Cite web |last=Comércio |first=Jornal do |title=Secretariado de Melo: quem são os 22 nomes do primeiro escalão em Porto Alegre |url=https://www.jornaldocomercio.com/_conteudo/politica/2021/01/772657-secretariado-de-melo-quem-sao-os-22-nomes-do-primeiro-escalao-em-porto-alegre.html |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=Jornal do Comércio |language=pt-br}} Along with the aforementioned, the daughter of federal deputy Bibo Nunes, Camila Nunes, was named to be the adjunct-secretary of Administration and Assets after negotiations managed by her father.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-29 |title=Filha de Bibo Nunes, Camila será secretária adjunta de Administração e Patrimônio em Porto Alegre |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2020/12/filha-de-bibo-nunes-camila-sera-secretaria-adjunta-de-administracao-e-patrimonio-em-porto-alegre-ckjaih19n008u017wcrexpwyo.html |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} With the nominations for secretaries, Pablo Melo, the son of Sebastião Melo and the first substitute from the MDB's bank, became a councilman.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-01 |title=Filho do prefeito de Porto Alegre, Pablo Melo testa positivo para a covid-19 |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/01/filho-do-prefeito-de-porto-alegre-pablo-melo-testa-positivo-para-a-covid-19-ckjenyvp8002s017wc8wl8qsx.html |access-date=2021-03-23 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}} Rodrigo Lorenzoni, the son of then minister Onyx Lorenzoni, was also named as one of his secretaries.{{Cite web |title=Prefeito dá posse ao novo secretário de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Turismo {{!}} Prefeitura de Porto Alegre |url=https://prefeitura.poa.br/gp/noticias/prefeito-da-posse-ao-novo-secretario-de-desenvolvimento-economico-e-turismo |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=prefeitura.poa.br}}

Melo named, soon into his first term, Janaína Audino, who had previously worked with the Fundação Maurício Sirotsky Sobrinho, of Grupo RBS, as the municipality secretary of education.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-29 |title=Confira os secretários já escolhidos por Melo para compor o primeiro escalão do governo |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2020/12/confira-os-secretarios-ja-escolhidos-por-melo-para-compor-o-primeiro-escalao-do-governo-ckj98hedu00ad019wd93uqqqh.html |access-date=2021-05-15 |website=GZH |language=pt-BR}}

In April 2021, Melo announced that he would not construct more daycares to buy spaces in private school systems.{{Cite web |title=Prefeitura de Porto Alegre deixará de construir creches e comprará vagas na rede privada {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2021/04/prefeitura-de-porto-alegre-deixara-de-construir-creches-e-comprara-vagas-na-rede-privada-cko38y24g007p018mam0jgt8q.html |access-date=2021-05-15 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=29 April 2021 }} The following month, the municipal government announced that the Escola Leocádia Felizardo Prestes would be the first school in the municipal school system to adhere to the civic-military school program put forth by the federal government.{{Cite web |title=Prefeitura encaminha implantação da primeira escola cívico-militar em Porto Alegre {{!}} Prefeitura de Porto Alegre |url=https://prefeitura.poa.br/gp/noticias/prefeitura-encaminha-implantacao-da-primeira-escola-civico-militar-em-porto-alegre |access-date=2021-05-15 |website=prefeitura.poa.br}} However, the school administration pushed back against the municipal policy, stating that that they would never adhere to the program.{{Cite web |title=Escola anunciada pela prefeitura como a primeira cívico-militar da Capital diz que nunca aderiu ao projeto {{!}} GZH |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/paulo-germano/noticia/2021/05/escola-anunciada-pela-prefeitura-como-a-primeira-civico-militar-da-capital-diz-que-nunca-aderiu-ao-projeto-ckooxt9th002k018mmjwvj8ze.html |access-date=2021-05-15 |website=gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br|date=14 May 2021 }}

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Melo's government also became known for his large-scale program of the concession of programs and public spaces to private initiatives, saying that the privatization program "is in the DNA" of his government.[https://www.radiomaisalegria.com.br/site/noticias/porto-alegre-anuncia-propostas-e-consulta-publica-para-concessao-da-redencao-e-outras-areas "Porto Alegre anuncia propostas e consulta pública para concessão da Redenção e outras áreas"]. Rádio Mais Alegria, 11 October 2022[https://www.jornaldocomercio.com/_conteudo/colunas/pensar_a_cidade/2021/08/805223-capital-estuda-ppp-na-usina-do-gasometro-hps-e-concessao-do-parque-da-redencao.html "Capital estuda PPP na Usina do Gasômetro, HPS e concessão do Parque da Redenção"]. Jornal do Comércio, 5 August 2021 It was put forth that the municipality did not have the conditions to maintain these services adequately and that the partnerships would bring qualified individuals to the system and health benefits for the population. During his electoral campaign, he declared that services should be public, but backed up by private partnerships.[https://www.folhadelondrina.com.br/politica/minha-rival-defende-que-tudo-seja-estatal-diz-sebastiao-melo-ex-vice-prefeito-de-porto-alegre-3037895e.html "Minha rival defende que tudo seja estatal, diz Sebastião Melo, ex-vice-prefeito de Porto Alegre"]. Folha de Londrina, 26 November 2020

Places for the dispersion of the equipment included Auditório Araújo Viana, Teatro de Câmara Túlio Piva, Parque da Harmonia, and stretch 1 of the Orla do Guaíba, some of them completing a process started during the previous administration. They had expected new concessions at Farroupilha, Moinhos de Vento and Marinha do Brasil parks; from stretches 2 and 3 of the Orla do Guaíba; Hospital de Pronto Socorro and Hospital Materno-Infantil Presidente Vargas; the Usina do Gasômetro; with garbage collection and water and sewage treatment; green areas in the surrounding areas of the Aeromóvel and the area around the Joaquim Felizardo Museum of Porto Alegre.[https://simpa.org.br/melo-coloca-porto-alegre-a-venda/ "Melo coloca Porto Alegre à venda"]. 20/08/2021Uhr, Felipe. [https://www.jornalja.com.br/ambiente/prefeitura-prepara-concessao-unica-para-a-coleta-do-lixo-em-porto-alegre/ "Prefeitura prepara concessão única para a coleta do lixo em Porto Alegre"]. Jornal Já, 11 August 2021Samuel, Felipe. [https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/melo-estuda-repassar-tratamento-de-%C3%A1gua-e-esgoto-de-porto-alegre-para-iniciativa-privada-1.746133 "Melo estuda repassar tratamento de água e esgoto de Porto Alegre para iniciativa privada"]. Correio do Povo, 24 December 2021 The public transport company Carris was privatized, with its assets being sold.Bazoni, Adamo. [https://diariodotransporte.com.br/2021/12/03/melo-sanciona-lei-que-privatiza-a-carris-de-porto-alegre/ "Melo sanciona lei que privatiza a Carris"]. Diário do Transporte, 3 December 2021

The program came to be criticized for devaluing the public character of services and spaces, and to allow them to be exploited commercially, along with the program's proposals having little transparency and without the necessary dialogue with the community.Jorge, Demétrio. [https://www.matinaljornalismo.com.br/matinal/reportagem-matinal/prefeitura-portoa-alegre-reve-estacionamento-redencao-projeto-concessao/ "Sob críticas, Prefeitura admite rever termos de concessão da Redenção"]. Matinal Jornalismo, 27 October 2022 The government is also accused of scrapping public assets to justify its concession afterwards.[https://mab.org.br/2022/06/10/mab-participa-de-manifestacao-contra-a-privatizacao-da-agua-em-porto-alegre/ "Mab participa de manifestação contra a privatização da água em Porto Alegre"]. Coletivo de Comunicação MAB RS, 10/06/2022[https://simpa.org.br/trabalhadoras-e-trabalhadores-da-carris-fazem-greve-justa-em-defesa-do-emprego-e-do-transporte-publico/ "Trabalhadoras e trabalhadores da Carris fazem greve justa em defesa do emprego e do transporte público!"] Sindicato dos Municipários de Porto Alegre, 03/09/2021

The Public Servants' Union of Porto Alegre strongly criticized his government's decision, stating that he had demonstrated a strong adherence to Bolsonaro's politics and stated that he assumed the posture of repression and violence against movements and struggles, taken away rights and reduced access to public politics, created unemployment, and promoted the scrapping of public equipment to justify the surrendering of public assets to private initiatives. The Coletivo Preserva Redenção, among the many organizations that had protested against his program, published an open letter stating that Melo had passed over public assets in the city, privatized public spaces and had aligned with business interests and real estate speculation at the cost of the environment and the well-being of Porto Alegre's residents.Silva, Juremir Machado da. [https://www.matinaljornalismo.com.br/matinal/colunistas-matinal/juremir-machado/juremir-o-que-vai-acontecer-com-o-parque-da-redencao/?utm_source=Assinantes&utm_campaign=4ece7c8fe4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_10_11_10_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8af61dd439-4ece7c8fe4-375339635&mc_cid=4ece7c8fe4&mc_eid=dbf9c7f98e "Dez perguntas e uma carta sobre a Redenção"]. Matinal Jornalismo, 13 October 2022 The Sindicato dos Previdenciários of Rio Grande do Sul, meanwhile, published a note stating that public servants only could lose with privatization and that they imposed privatization on institutions that guaranteed health, leisure, culture, and transport.[http://www.sindisprevrs.org.br/noticias/detalhe/id/3186 "Melo abre portas para ampliar privatizações em Porto Alegre"]. Sindicato dos Previdenciários do Rio Grande do Sul, 25 August 2021

According to Luciano Fedozzi, a professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and a member of Observatório das Metrópoles, the concession or privatization of services are deceivingly presented by public authorities as inevitable and the only possible way to eliminate issues. Meanwhile, independent specialists and the community had in fact offered many alternatives to privatization. He described the moves as part of an idea of Porto Alegre as a marketplace and that it ought to be sold internationally as something that could be transformed into new possibilities for the accumulation of capital and mercantilism. Rafael Passos, president of the Rio Grande do Sul branch of the Institute of Architects of Brazil (IAB), is on a mission to decentralize and that the only public comment to them is how it would be done. Even debates such as these are limited as complaints from the populace of not being heard grow common.Gomes, Luís. [https://sul21.com.br/noticias/geral/2022/05/discussao-sobre-cercamento-dos-parques-esconde-projeto-de-privatizacao-de-espacos-publicos/ "Discussão sobre cercamento dos parques esconde projeto de privatização de espaços públicos"]. Sul 21, 11 May 2022

For Betânia Alfonsin, from the Conselho Diretivo do Instituto Brasileiro de Direito Urbanístico, the concession process for parks should not be analyzed in a vacuum since it forms part of the global context of the advance of private interests towards public areas, with a movement that seeks total deregulation of urbanist legislation.Gomes, Luís. [https://sul21.com.br/noticias/geral/2022/09/prefeitura-justifica-concessao-da-redencao-em-razao-do-vandalismo-e-confirma-estacionamento/ "Prefeitura justifica concessão da Redenção em razão do vandalismo e confirma estacionamento"]. Sul 21, 27 September 2022 In January 2022, Melo promoted to send to the Chamber of Deputies a new master plan administrator who was "very liberal". While this did not occur, he tried to introduce new regulations. He has said that his government is very liberal on the economy, on entrepreneurs, and on the opening of new businesses, but has a strong eye on social issues. There are criticisms that his government has implemented large-scale projects that had been approved despite warnings from the master plan administrator and norms regarding environmental protections.Velleda, Luciano & Gomes, Luís Eduardo. [https://sul21.com.br/noticias/entrevistas/2022/01/sebastiao-melo-o-plano-diretor-que-vamos-mandar-para-a-camara-sera-bastante-liberal/ "Sebastião Melo: ‘O Plano Diretor que vamos mandar para a Câmara será bastante liberal’."] Sul 21, 7 January 2022 For André Augustin, from the Observatório das Metrópoles, the privatization program is associated with policies that selectively value certain areas of the city for large real estate and urbanist ventures, there being a strong state-wide initiative to build a city that creates profits for predetermined sectors.Augustin, André Coutinho. [https://www.observatoriodasmetropoles.net.br/os-150-anos-de-transporte-publico-que-nao-serao-comemorados-nos-250-anos-de-porto-alegre/ "Os 150 anos de transporte público que não serão comemorados nos 250 anos de Porto Alegre"]. Observatório das Metrópoles, 24 March 2022

File:IBPA 134407 - Prefeitura começou a realizar um caminho alternativo para - 2024-05-08 - Cesar Lopes-PMPA.JPG

From April to May 2024, Rio Grande do Sul was hit by massive flooding, which also severely hit Porto Alegre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/05/23/guaiba-volta-a-subir-e-mais-bairros-ficam-alagadas-em-porto-alegre-nesta-quinta-23|title=Guaíba volta a subir e mais bairros ficam alagados em Porto Alegre nesta quinta (23)|date=23 May 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=Brasil de Fato|language=pt-BR}} This was partly seen as, in addition to the sheer amount of precipitation, insufficient pumping of water, as trash and rubble had blocked many manholes in the city. Melo, during the flooding, affirmed that the city government knew that there was a possibility of strong rains and was not taken by surprise. He denied, however, that the city government had delayed its response and put the responsibility on the new round of floodings for the high volume, as well as the population, blaming them for the trash strewn throughout the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/05/23/sebastiao-melo-responsabiliza-chuva-e-populacao-apos-enchente-atingir-novos-bairros-em-porto-alegre|title=Sebastião Melo responsabiliza chuva e população após enchente atingir novos bairros em Porto Alegre|date=23 May 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=Brasil de Fato|language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web|last=Velleda|first=Luciano|url=https://sul21.com.br/noticias/geral/2024/05/melo-diz-que-prefeitura-nao-foi-pega-de-surpresa-com-as-chuvas-que-voltaram-a-alagar-a-capital/|title=Melo diz que Prefeitura 'não foi pega de surpresa' com as chuvas que voltaram a alagar a Capital - Sul 21|access-date=5 April 2025|website=sul21.com.br|language=pt-br}}

During the floods, the Guaíba hit its highest ever historical level, leaving various parts of the city submerged and many people stranded. Due to the severity of the situation, the municipality set up 21 centers to receive thousands of people who were forced to leave their homes.{{Cite web|publisher=|url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/nacional/enchente-em-porto-alegre-veja-antes-e-depois-das-areas-afetadas/|title=Enchente em Porto Alegre: veja antes e depois das áreas afetadas|access-date=5 April 2025|website=CNN Brasil|language=pt-BR}}

The flooding was also marked by conflicts between Melo and the federal government, during which he criticized what he saw was the lack of support from them, despite having also delayed a formal emergency request for days.{{cite web|url=https://iclnoticias.com.br/sebastiao-melo-levou-6-dias-para-pedir-verba/|title=Sebastião Melo levou 6 dias para pedir verba federal|date=15 May 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=ICL Notícias|language=pt-BR}} During this period, federal deputy Fernanda Melchionna and city councilman Roberto Robaina, both from PSOL, sued Melo. They both requested that the State Attorney's Office to start an investigation against Melo due to the fact that the municipal government had not sent the federal government the data of families in Porto Alegre hit by the floods. As a result, they were unable to receive the first payments from the Auxílio Reconstrução fund, valued at $5.1 million real.{{Cite web|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/blogs/bela-megale/post/2024/05/prefeito-de-porto-alegre-e-acionado-na-justica-por-nao-enviar-dados-de-atingidos-pelas-cheias-para-receberem-auxilio.ghtml|title=Prefeito de Porto Alegre é acionado na Justiça por não enviar dados de atingidos pelas cheias para receberem Auxílio|date=28 May 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=O Globo|language=pt-br}}

In June, fears of floods began to worry the people of Porto Alegre, causing thousands to abandon their homes.{{Cite web|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/geral/noticia/2024-06/chuvas-e-alagamentos-voltam-a-preocupar-moradores-de-porto-alegre|title=Chuvas e alagamentos voltam a preocupar moradores de Porto Alegre|date=19 June 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=Agência Brasil|language=pt-br}} Porto Alegre only was able to have the "pump houses" - buildings that housed the electric tools necessary to drain floods in the city - functioning again by the start of July.{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2024/07/02/dois-meses-apos-enchente-porto-alegre-volta-a-ter-todas-as-casas-de-bomba-em-funcionamento.ghtml|title=Dois meses após enchente, Porto Alegre volta a ter todas as casas de bombas em funcionamento|date=2 July 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=G1|language=pt-br}}

File:Chimelo - grafite na Av Osvaldo Aranha 2.jpg

During his 2024 reelection campaign, the Electoral Courts permitted the removal of graffiti that portrayed Melo, partially submerged by flooding. The mural, dubbed Chimelo, was made by the artist Filipe Harp, and was based off an illustration by Bruno Ortiz Monllor. Chimelo was sprayed onto the wall of a cultural center in the Cidade Baixa neighborhood. In a decision rendered on 15 August, Judge Patrícia Hochheim Thomé judged that the panel had been framed as electoral propaganda in the locality or loosely covered by legislation. She ruled that the mural be removed within 24 hours, or be faced with a fine of $5,000 real in case of insubordination, and was rapidly covered up.{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2024/noticia/2024/08/19/justica-eleitoral-ordena-remocao-de-grafite-que-retratava-sebastiao-melo-na-enchente-em-porto-alegre.ghtml|title=Justiça Eleitoral ordena remoção de grafite que retratava prefeito Sebastião Melo na enchente em Porto Alegre {{!}} Eleições 2024 no Rio Grande do Sul|date=19 August 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=G1|language=pt-br}}

In September of that year, however, the state Regional Electoral Court (TRE) reauthorized the reproduction of the mural. The art was understood by the Public Electoral Ministry (MPE) was to be interpreted and treated as elaborate art by a citizen who was not running as a candidate. Desembargador Nilton Tavares da Silva agreed with the notion and voted for the mural's authorization. The decision was supported by the court in a unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2024/noticia/2024/09/20/tre-autoriza-reproducao-de-grafite-que-retratava-prefeito-sebastiao-melo-na-enchente-em-porto-alegre.ghtml|title=TRE autoriza reprodução de grafite que retratava prefeito Sebastião Melo na enchente em Porto Alegre|date=20 September 2024|access-date=5 April 2025|website=G1|language=pt-br}}

Melo was reelected in 2024 by a wide margin, obtaining 61.53% in the second round. He defeated his second-place rival, Maria do Rosário, who had obtained 38.47% of the vote.

File:IBPA 142013 - O prefeito reeleito, Sebastião Melo, e a vice, Betina - 2025-01-01 - Cesar Lopes-PMPA.JPG

The floodings from earlier in the year became an issue during the course of his reelection campaign in 2024. After he was questioned about the subject, Melo mentioned that "it will continue to flood". According to him, the situation would depend on drainage systems, but the budget did not cover projects to protect against flooding, and the new investment of $4.5 billion real would depend on the creation of a partnership with the Municipal Department of Water and Sewage (DMAE).{{Cite web|url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/noticia/2024/12/melo-sobre-acumulo-de-agua-nas-ruas-de-porto-alegre-em-dias-de-chuva-forte-vai-continuar-alagando-cm5bfvhuo006l015wnwsmzlvy.html|title=Melo sobre acúmulo de água nas ruas de Porto Alegre em dias de chuva forte: "Vai continuar alagando"|date=31 December 2024|access-date=6 April 2025|website=GZH|language=pt}} During the same time period, strong rains affected the city, leaving the city without lights and transport,{{Cite web|url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/cotidiano/ultimas-noticias/2025/01/02/porto-alegre-alagamentos-chuvas.htm|title=Chuvas causam alagamento, falta de luz e deixam Porto Alegre sob alerta|date=2 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=UOL|language=pt-br}} also affecting the swearing in of municipal secretaries, which had to be cancelled after the rain took out the lights.{{Cite web|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/posse-secretariado-sebastiao-melo-cancelada-apos-chuva-atingir-porto-alegre-e-derrubar-energia-nprp/|title=Posse do secretariado de Sebastião Melo é cancelada após chuva atingir Porto Alegre e derrubar a luz|access-date=6 April 2025|website=Estadão|language=pt-br}} Former minister of president Lula da Silva, Paulo Pimenta, criticized Melo for his stance on the issue, claiming that he was responsible for the new bouts of flooding in Porto Alegre.{{Cite web|url=https://revistaforum.com.br/politica/2025/1/3/governo-lula-vai-para-cima-de-sebastio-melo-por-nova-enchente-em-porto-alegre-lamentavel-171917.html|title=Governo Lula vai para cima de Sebastião Melo por nova enchente em Porto Alegre: "Lamentável"|date=3 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=Revista Fórum|language=pt-BR}}

On 1 January 2025, Melo and his vice-mayor, Betina Worm of the Liberal Party (PL), took office during the swearing-in ceremony of the Municipal Chamber of Porto Alegre as the city council members were also sworn in. Melo generated controversy by stating that "defenders of the Brazilian military dictatorship should not be prosecuted because this would represent freedom of expression", and also affirmed that "defenders of socialism and communism do not deserve to be punished."{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2025/01/01/melo-diz-na-posse-como-prefeito-de-porto-alegre-que-politicos-podem-defender-ditadura-e-liberdade-de-expressao.ghtml|title=Melo diz na posse como prefeito de Porto Alegre que políticos podem defender ditadura: 'é liberdade de expressão'|date=1 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=G1|language=pt-br}} Opposition parties would go on to publicly protest against Melo for these comments.{{Cite web|url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2025/01/bancada-do-pt-acusa-melo-de-apologia-a-ditadura-e-levara-o-caso-ao-ministerio-publico-cm5ek2b3100ql015wt0hx40x5.html|title=Bancada do PT acusa Melo de "apologia à ditadura" e levará o caso ao Ministério Público|date=1 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=GZH|language=pt}}{{Cite web|last=Ternus|first=Henrique|url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/colunistas/rosane-de-oliveira/noticia/2025/01/pdt-repudia-fala-de-melo-e-promete-acionar-ministerio-publico-nao-ha-liberdade-de-expressao-que-permita-defender-a-volta-da-ditadura-cm5fnl16i00yk017ih8jqtlei.html|title=PDT repudia fala de Melo e promete acionar Ministério Público: "Não há liberdade de expressão que permita defender a volta da ditadura"|date=2 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=GZH|language=pt}}

On his first day working in his office in 2025, Melo made protocol for seven proposed laws seeking administrative reforms, including for the privatization of DMAE.{{Cite web|url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/noticia/2025/01/melo-protocola-reforma-administrativa-e-pede-convocacao-extraordinaria-da-camara-de-vereadores-cm5frh73i0118017ifdbiyyt4.html|title=Melo protocola reforma administrativa e pede convocação extraordinária da Câmara de Vereadores|date=2 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=GZH|language=pt}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.brasildefators.com.br/2025/01/07/votacao-na-camara-de-porto-alegre-que-previa-privatizacao-do-dmae-e-suspensa-por-liminar|title=Votação na Câmara de Porto Alegre que previa privatização do DMAE é suspensa por liminar|date=7 January 2025|access-date=6 April 2025|website=Brasil de Fato - Rio Grande do Sul|language=pt-BR}} The Rio Grande do Sul State Supreme Court, responding to a request by the Municipal Workers Union of Porto Alegre (Simpa), sent out a preliminary notice to suspend part of the processing of part of the reforms, which ruled that legal norms were not followed, such as public debate on the proposals.{{Cite web|publisher=portoalegre24horas|url=https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/brasil/politica/justica-suspende-tramitacao-de-parte-da-reforma-administrativa-de-sebastiao-melo-em-porto-alegre,dc950ccb39e37d87915dab8f393328a9y07vi2g0.html#|title=Justiça suspende tramitação de parte da Reforma Administrativa de Sebastião Melo em Porto Alegre|access-date=6 April 2025|website=Terra|language=pt-BR}}

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