A former city councillor in Brazil has controversially returned a toilet and two sinks she removed from her office after losing her re-election bid. Video footage of the removal was shared widely online as Janaína Lima completed her term as a councilwoman in Sao Paulo.
Lima stated that she chose to donate the equipment she purchased with her personal funds back to the council following a backlash on social media. “Obviously, neither I nor my advisers need a toilet,” she expressed.
CCTV footage captured her staff removing the fixtures that had been installed during her eight-year tenure. Lima clarified that the renovation was financed entirely out of her own pocket, asserting that these were not council assets. She claimed she was acting on advice from the legal department, which indicated that any personally installed items should be taken out.
The former councillor remarked to local media that the building’s plumbing is “sensitive.” She also noted that other enhancements she made to the office, such as a glass partition and industrial-style light fixtures, would remain for her successor.
Lima, who represented the New Party, lost her position to Adrilles Jorge of the Brazilian Labour Party in the 2024 elections. During Jorge’s inauguration, he humorously mentioned that his team would have to “use a communal potty” until future arrangements could be made. “I visited the office and thought the architecture was brilliant, but she removed everything,” he commented, expressing surprise at the situation.
Ricardo Teixeira, the new president of the House, assured that “appropriate measures” would be considered in light of these developments.
