Brazilian council chamber descends into mayhem as violent brawl erupts between politicians disagreeing over the voting process to elect new mayor
- Fight started in chamber of Macapa City Counil, north Brazil, on last Thursday
- Dispute was between Yuri Pelaes and opposition colleague, Caetano Bentes
- Skirmish suspended business for over an hour, with lawmakers escorted out
This is the moment that a violent brawl erupts between Brazilian politicians disagreeing about the voting process to elect a city mayor.
The dispute began when two lawmakers in Macapa City Council, north Brazil, argued over the validity of a document which called for the suspension of the election.
A video taken from inside the council chamber shows the session descending into mayhem last Thursday, April 4, with dozens of people piling in to the brawl.
This is the horrific moment that a violent brawl erupts between Brazilian politicians in a council chamber in Macapa, north Brazil, after they disagreed about the voting process to elect a new city mayor
Politicians are seen hurling punches and kicks at opponents, with others launching themselves from a central table and on to the mass of brawlers.
Others scream and try to stop the fight, while one man holding a camera films the carnage.
The confusion started when councillor Yuri Pelaes of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) party, who is sitting on the left at the top table, stands up to present the paperwork to opposition colleague, Caetano Bentes.
But Pelaes gesticulates angrily at the seated politician as he demands that he reads the contents of the document which calls for the mayoral vote to be postponed because of alleged constitutional irregularities.
Apparently riled by the member’s approach, Bentes, who refuses to read the material, jumps up and shoves his opponent in the chest.
Pelaes then responds with a flurry of punches.
Politicians are seen hurling punches and kicks at opponents, with others launching themselves from a central table and on to the mass of brawlers. Others scream and try to stop the fight, while one man holding a camera films the carnage
The fight between the two is met by loud jeers and screams as others in the chamber race to the top table to join in.
The ruckus lasted for several minutes and spilled over onto the chamber floor, with people being trampled underfoot.
The mass skirmish suspended business for over an hour, as the feuding lawmakers were escorted out of the chamber and warned to ‘cool down’.
No injuries were reported.
Once the session was resumed, the election was held with only 12 out of the 23 councillors voting for the new mayor.
Those who refused to participate declared the vote illegal and vowed to challenge the outcome in the constitutional courts.