Quick Facts
Biography
Gilberto Kassab (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒiwˈbɛɾtʊ kaˈsab(ɪ)] or [ʒiwˈbɛʁtu kaˈsab(i)]; born 12 August 1960 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian politician, former mayor of São Paulo. His term ended in 2013. A civil engineer and economist, one of the most famous Brazilians of Lebanese descent, Kassab took over from José Serra, after Serra decided to run for governor of São Paulo.
He belongs to the Lebanese community of São Paulo, and is a member of the Partido Social Democrático (PSD).
Political career
- 1993-1994: São Paulo City councilman
- 1995-1998: São Paulo State deputy
- 1998-2004: Congressman (resigned to run as vice-mayor of São Paulo alongside José Serra)
- 2004-2006: Vice Mayor of São Paulo
- 2006-2012: São Paulo Mayor (re-elected on Oct 26th, 2008 for a four-year term (2009-2012))
Administration
The advertising industry criticized the city of São Paulo administration for the Cidade Limpa law, which prohibits all forms of external media and visual pollution such as billboards. Ad companies tried to keep the billboards in the streets with injunctions, but the supreme court determined the law to be constitutional. At any rate, support for the initiative from the public continues to be widespread.
Appearance in The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Mayor Kassab appeared at length in the Morgan Spurlock 2011 documentary The Greatest Movie Ever Sold talking about the decision of the City Council to ban advertising in the city.