During her membership of the PSB, the minister criticizes the mayor of São Paulo and argues that offense is not a “way of doing politics”
In the act of her affiliation with the PSB this Friday (27.mar.2026), the Minister of Planning and Budget, , countered the mayor of the city of São Paulo, , who called her a “Lula’s puppet”. In response, Tebet said that Nunes was “absolutely inelegant with Brazilian women”but also highlighted “have affection” for him.
“It’s an insult, I believe in an absolutely inelegant way, right, Ricardo Nunes. You were absolutely inelegant towards Brazilian women and you know the affection I have for you. I’ll stop here in relation to that. It’s not a way of doing politics. It’s an aggressive way of setting an example for women”, said Simone, in the Monumental Hall of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo. She said that the man who will manipulate her is about to be born.
Ricardo Nunes (MDB) called the minister a “Lula’s puppet” in an interview with UOL on March 21, 2026. After responding to the mayor, she stated that she had “the greatest respect” by the president and his vice, . According to Tebet, she responded to a request from both by running for the Senate in São Paulo.
Tebet will run for a seat as senator in 2026 alongside the government ticket. The other vacancy remains open. Names considered are the Minister of the Environment (Rede) and her party colleague, the Minister of Entrepreneurship (PSB), who was present at the event. On Monday (23rd March), Alckmin opened up the possibility of competing.
The minister leaves the MDB after 29 years, her only party throughout her political career.
Tebet is a native of Mato Grosso do Sul. In the state, she was a state deputy, mayor of Três Lagoas, government secretary, vice-governor and senator.
