The Federal Supreme Court (STF) maintained, by a majority, the decision of Minister Cármen Lúcia that determined the transfer of funds to the cultural and events sector, provided for in the Paulo Gustavo Law, and extended the deadline for the execution of the law by the federated entities until 31 December 2023.

The decision went through virtual trial this Thursday (2). Ten ministers voted in favor of maintaining the determination: Cármen Lúcia, Edson Fachin, Luiz Fux, Roberto Barroso, Dias Toffoli, Alexandre de Moraes, Ricardo Lewandowski, Nunes Marques, Gilmar Mendes and Rosa Weber.

The only vote against was from André Mendonça. The minister partially disagreed with Carmen Lúcia’s decision. Mendonça argues that the Court should await legislative improvement, that is, the consideration of Provisional Measure 1,135/2022 by Congress.

The MP amends the laws as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and determines that funds not used by December 31, 2023 must be returned to the National Treasury under legal terms.

Cármen Lúcia’s determination responded to a request from the Sustainability Network to ensure compliance with the decision of the Court’s Plenary that suspended the provisional measure that made it difficult to transfer funds to culture.

Last year, the National Congress approved the project that allocates BRL 3.9 billion to the cultural sector to mitigate the damage caused by the pandemic. The then president, Jair Bolsonaro (PL), decided to veto the text, but the legislature ended up overturning the veto.