Questions related to name of the capital of Paraíba, João Pessoa, is once again the subject of discussion as a request for a plebiscite gains prominence and is forwarded to the state's Regional Electoral Court (TRE).
The proposal aims to allow the population to decide whether the city's name should be kept or changed, an issue that has generated controversy for decades.
see more
Largest 3D map of the Universe begins to be created with the help of…
MEC Ordinance defines Conae 2024 guidelines
Since 1930, the city has been named João Pessoa, a tribute to a prominent politician who was tragically murdered at the age of 52, in July of that year, in Recife.
João Pessoa had run as a candidate for vice president on the Getulio Vargas, months before his death.
It is important to highlight that popular consultation is provided for in the 1988 Constitution of Paraíba: “Art. 82 (transitional provisions) – The Regional Electoral Court will carry out a plebiscite consultation, in order to know from the people of João Pessoa what name they prefer for this city”, highlights the Constitution of Paraíba.
Last Monday (23), the Public Electoral Ministry (MPE) issued an opinion on the issue. According to regional electoral prosecutor Acácia Suassuna, defining the terms of the consultation is the responsibility of the Legislative Assembly.
Therefore, only after the parameters have been defined by the Assembly, the TRE will be able to proceed with the plebiscite consultation, which is not unanimous among all.
(Image: disclosure)
The controversy surrounding the name dates back to groups that, over the years, resisted changing the city's name and defended the return to the old “Parahyba”, the name used before João Pessoa's death.
Given that calling the plebiscite is a responsibility of the Legislative Assembly, the prosecutor suggests that the TRE declare itself incompetent in this case and forward the case to the Court of Justice (TJ).
After all, the body would have the power to force the legislature to create rules for consultation, as provided for in the state Constitution.
Therefore, it is still too early to say whether there will even be a popular consultation to change the name of the capital. However, the certainty is that the result of this plebiscite, if it occurs, will have a significant impact on the city's identity.
