Raul Pont

{{Short description|Brazilian historian and politician (born 1944)}}

{{Infobox Politician | name = Raul Pont | image = Raul Pont.jpg | title = Mayor of Porto Alegre | term = January 1, 1997 – January 1, 2001 | deputy = José Fortunati | predecessor = Tarso Genro | successor = Tarso Genro | title2 = Deputy Mayor of Porto Alegre | term2 = January 1, 1993 – January 1, 1997 | deputy2 = Tarso Genro | predecessor2 = Tarso Genro | successor2 = José Fortunati | title3 = Federal Deputy for Rio Grande do Sul | term3 = February 1, 1991 – April 1, 1992 | title4 = State Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul | term4 = February 1, 2003 – January 31, 2015 | birth_date = {{birth date|1944|5|14|df=yes}} | birth_place = Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul | party = PT {{small|(1980–present)}} | occupation = Historian and university professor }} '''Raul Jorge Anglada Pont''' (May 14, 1944) is a Brazilian historian and politician, founder of the Workers' Party (PT).<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Raul Pont: trajetória do PT do surgimento até os dias de hoje |url=https://pt.org.br/raul-pont-trajetoria-do-pt-do-surgimento-ate-os-dias-de-hoje/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608154009/https://pt.org.br/raul-pont-trajetoria-do-pt-do-surgimento-ate-os-dias-de-hoje/ |archive-date=June 8, 2017 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Workers' Party |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolfart |first=Graziela |last2=Quadros |first2=Bruna |date=June 30, 2008 |title=O processo de consolidação programática. Uma análise do sistema partidário gaúcho |url=https://www.ihuonline.unisinos.br/artigo/1945-raul-pont-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621133214/https://www.ihuonline.unisinos.br/artigo/1945-raul-pont-1 |archive-date=June 21, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Unisinos |language=pt-br}}</ref> He was a student leader, union activist, university professor, state and federal deputy, as well as the 39th mayor of Porto Alegre, between 1997 and 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fogliatto |first=Débora |date=August 24, 2011 |title=Raul Pont: “O sistema partidário está corrompido, principalmente pelo poder econômico” |url=http://www.sul21.com.br/jornal/raul-pont-o-sistema-partidario-esta-corrompido-principalmente-pelo-poder-economico/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011202010/http://www.sul21.com.br/jornal/raul-pont-o-sistema-partidario-esta-corrompido-principalmente-pelo-poder-economico/ |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |access-date=October 11, 2016 |work=Jornal Sul21 |language=pt-BR }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sperb |first=Paula |date=September 27, 2017 |title=Cogitado como candidato, Haddad desconversa e aposta em Lula {{!}} Rio Grande do Sul |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/rio-grande-do-sul/cogitado-como-candidato-haddad-desconversa-e-aposta-em-lula |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004160042/https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/rio-grande-do-sul/cogitado-como-candidato-haddad-desconversa-e-aposta-em-lula |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Veja |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

== Biography ==

=== Early years and education === He was born in Uruguaiana, in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paz |first=Walmaro |date=June 3, 2009 |title=Raul Pont: “O Brasil nunca teve uma Constituinte soberana e exclusiva” |url=http://www.al.rs.gov.br/agenciadenoticias/destaque/tabid/855/IdMateria/226851/Default.aspx |url-status= |archive-date= |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> He moved to the capital, Porto Alegre, to begin his studies at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paulitsch |first=Claudia |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Ex-deputado Raul Pont recebe a distinção de Deputado Emérito na ALRS |url=https://ww4.al.rs.gov.br/noticia/334821 |url-status= |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref>

As a history student at UFRGS, he became involved in politics as a student activist and was elected president of the Central Student Directory (DCE) in 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raul Pont. Entrevista concedida a Adolar Koch, no dia 26 de junho de 2018, na Assembleia Legislativa do Rio Grande do Sul |url=https://www.ufrgs.br/repho/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Raul-Pont.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423213144/https://www.ufrgs.br/repho/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Raul-Pont.pdf |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> He was persecuted during the military dictatorship for his involvement with left-wing groups and moved to the city of São Paulo.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 4, 2024 |title=As vidas transformadas pelo golpe de 1964; veja o vídeo de Raul Pont |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/as-vidas-transformadas-pelo-golpe-de-1964-veja-o-v%C3%ADdeo-de-raul-pont-1.1481096 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226123609/https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/as-vidas-transformadas-pelo-golpe-de-1964-veja-o-v%C3%ADdeo-de-raul-pont-1.1481096 |archive-date=February 26, 2025 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Correio do Povo |language=pt-br}}</ref> He was kidnapped and imprisoned by the dictatorship in São Paulo after teaching a preparatory course for university entrance exams in the Liberdade neighborhood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Reinhoz |first=Fabiana |date=August 30, 2019 |title=Raul Pont: “Não podemos perder a memória” |url=https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2019/08/30/raul-pont-nao-podemos-perder-a-memoria/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325105750/https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2019/08/30/raul-pont-nao-podemos-perder-a-memoria/ |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Brasil de Fato |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

He was imprisoned for more than a year between the Department of Political and Social Order (DOPS) in São Paulo, the DOPS in Porto Alegre and {{Interlanguage link|Presídio Island|pt|Ilha do Presídio}}, where the dictatorship sent political prisoners in Rio Grande do Sul during the dictatorship.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Osellame |first=Luiz |date=June 3, 2015 |title=Raul Pont relata à Subcomissão a sua experiência de preso político durante a ditadura militar |url=https://www.al.rs.gov.br/agenciadenoticias/destaque/tabid/855/Default.aspx?IdMateria=299639 |website=Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref>

After his imprisonment, he took part in the Institute of Political, Economic and Social Studies (Iepes), an organization linked to the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trajetória |url=http://raulpont.com.br/trajetoria |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317211639/http://raulpont.com.br/trajetoria |archive-date=March 17, 2014 |access-date=March 17, 2014 |website=Raul Pont}}</ref> He moved to São Leopoldo to become an assistant professor at Unisinos, where he stayed from 1977 to 1991 on the Social Sciences course.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aos 50 anos de militância, Raul Pont anuncia nova frente de luta |url=https://www.ihu.unisinos.br/171-noticias-2013/523282-aos-50-anos-de-militancia-raul-pont-anuncia-nova-frente-de-luta |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Unisinos |language=pt-br}}</ref> At the end of the 1970s, he took part in founding the newspaper ''Em Tempo''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entrevista: Raul Pont fala sobre a história do jornal Em Tempo – Democracia Socialista |url=https://democraciasocialista.org.br/entrevista-raul-pont-fala-sobre-a-historia-do-jornal-em-tempo/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Pont: Inauguramos experiências inéditas para a esquerda mundial |url=https://pt.org.br/pont-inauguramos-experiencias-ineditas-para-a-esquerda-mundial/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104175323/https://pt.org.br/pont-inauguramos-experiencias-ineditas-para-a-esquerda-mundial/ |archive-date=2024-11-04 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Partido dos Trabalhadores |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Politics === In the early 1980s, he became involved in the union mobilizations that would culminate in the emergence of the Workers' Party (PT).<ref name=":1" /> He was one of the party's founders, serving as general secretary and president of the Rio Grande do Sul PT, a member of the national executive and treasurer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lopes |first=Nathan |date=January 21, 2018 |title=Primeira "dinastia do PT": o que Porto Alegre representa para o partido? |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticias/2018/01/21/primeira-dinastia-do-pt-o-que-porto-alegre-representa-para-o-partido.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524163350/https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticias/2018/01/21/primeira-dinastia-do-pt-o-que-porto-alegre-representa-para-o-partido.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |work=Universo Online Eleições 2018 |language=pt-BR }}</ref>

While the PT was trying to establish itself as a political force in the state, he was a candidate for the Senate of Rio Grande do Sul in {{Interlanguage link|1982 Rio Grande do Sul gubernatorial election|lt=1982|pt|Eleições estaduais no Rio Grande do Sul em 1982 }}.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 24, 1982 |title=Vice-prefeito do PT será escolhido amanhã |url=https://memoria.bn.gov.br/DocReader/DocReader.aspx?bib=885959&pesq=%22Raul%20Pont%22&pasta=ano%20198&hf=memoria.bn.gov.br&pagfis=55774 |journal=Jornal Pioneiro |volume=34 |issue=120 |pages=13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://cdn.fee.tche.br/digitalizacao/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985-texto.pdf |title=Estatísticas eleitoras: 1982 - 1985 |date= |publisher=Fundação de Economia e Estatística |year=1986 |edition=First |location=Porto Alegre |publication-date=1986 |pages=86 |language=pt-br |access-date=April 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228170816/https://cdn.fee.tche.br/digitalizacao/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985-texto.pdf |archive-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref> Three years later, in {{Interlanguage link|1985 Porto Alegre mayoral election|lt=1985|pt|Eleição municipal de Porto Alegre em 1985}}, he was the party's candidate for mayor of Porto Alegre, the state capital.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 5, 1985 |title=Debate entre candidatos à Prefeitura de Porto Alegre |url=https://memoria.bn.gov.br/DocReader/DocReader.aspx?bib=885959&pesq=%22Raul%20Pont%22&pasta=ano%20198&hf=memoria.bn.gov.br&pagfis=85351 |journal=O Pioneiro |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=6}}</ref> In the election, he came third, beaten by Alceu Collares (PDT) and {{Interlanguage link|Carrion Júnior|pt|Carrion Júnior}} (PMDB).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ilha |first=Flávio |date=September 20, 2008 |title=Ameaçado de obter pior desempenho desde 1985, PT acende "luz amarela" em Porto Alegre - 20/09/2008 - UOL Eleições 2008 - Porto Alegre |url=https://www.uol.com.br/eleicoes/2008/ultnot/porto-alegre/2008/09/20/ult6015u62.jhtm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126081738/https://www.uol.com.br/eleicoes/2008/ultnot/porto-alegre/2008/09/20/ult6015u62.jhtm |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Universo Online}}</ref>

In {{Interlanguage link|1986 Rio Grande do Sul gubernatorial election|lt=1986|pt|Eleições estaduais no Rio Grande do Sul em 1986}}, he was elected a constituent state deputy - the PT's most voted candidate.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 25, 1986 |title=Assembléia Legislativa |url=https://memoria.bn.gov.br/DocReader/DocReader.aspx?bib=885959&pesq=%22Raul%20Pont%22&pasta=ano%20198&hf=memoria.bn.gov.br&pagfis=96357 |journal=O Pioneiro |volume=39 |issue=276 |pages=15}}</ref> He was leader of the caucus in the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul (ALRGS) for the first two years of his mandate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Relação de Integrantes da 47. ª Legislatura: (31 de janeiro de 1987 – 31 de janeiro de 1991) |url=https://ww2.al.rs.gov.br/memorial/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=_79-E8gpg4M%3d&tabid=3543 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704204444/https://ww2.al.rs.gov.br/memorial/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=_79-E8gpg4M%3d&tabid=3543 |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> After his state mandate, he ran for federal deputy for Rio Grande do Sul in Brasília.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=RESULTADOS DA ELEIÇÃO GERAL DE 1990 |url=https://resultados.tre-rs.jus.br/eleicoes/1990/index.html |url-status= |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Tribunal Regional Eleitoral do Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> In the election, he was one of the four party members elected.<ref name=":2" />

In {{Interlanguage link|1988 Porto Alegre mayoral election|lt=1988|pt|Eleição municipal de Porto Alegre em 1988 }}, the polls took the PT to the Porto Alegre mayoralty, with Olívio Dutra, for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olívio Dutra relembra vitória do PT nas eleições de 1988 |url=https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/brasil/politica/olivio-dutra-relembra-vitoria-do-pt-nas-eleicoes-de-1988,291cbdd6eb352410VgnVCM3000009af154d0RCRD.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725050224/https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/brasil/politica/olivio-dutra-relembra-vitoria-do-pt-nas-eleicoes-de-1988,291cbdd6eb352410VgnVCM3000009af154d0RCRD.html |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Terra |language=pt-BR}}</ref> In {{Interlanguage link|1992 Porto Alegre mayoral election|lt=1992|pt|Eleição municipal de Porto Alegre em 1992}}, then deputy Tarso Genro was elected mayor on a ticket with Raul Pont as his deputy. There was a tradition in the PT's municipal office in Porto Alegre that the deputy mayor elected on the ticket would run for mayor of the capital in the following election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tarso Genro |url=https://educacao.uol.com.br/biografias/tarso-genro.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201030435/https://educacao.uol.com.br/biografias/tarso-genro.htm |archive-date=December 1, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Universo Online |language=pt-br}}</ref> It was no different in 1996, when Pont, then Tarso's deputy, ran for mayor, with José Fortunati completing the ticket.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 15, 1996 |title=Pont é o candidato do PT à Prefeitura de Porto Alegre |url=https://memoria.bn.gov.br/DocReader/DocReader.aspx?bib=885959&pesq=%22Raul%20Pont%22&pasta=ano%20199&hf=memoria.bn.gov.br&pagfis=218746 |journal=Jornal Pioneiro |volume=48 |issue=6350 |pages=7}}</ref>

Before that, in 1994, he ran for the Senate for the second time, without success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resultados das Eleições 1994 - Rio Grande do Sul - senador |url=https://www.tse.jus.br/eleicoes/eleicoes-anteriores/eleicoes-1994/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994/rio-grande-do-sul/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994-rio-grande-do-sul-senador |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211052549/https://www.tse.jus.br/eleicoes/eleicoes-anteriores/eleicoes-1994/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994/rio-grande-do-sul/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994-rio-grande-do-sul-senador |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Tribunal Regional Eleitoral do Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> Elected in the first round in {{Interlanguage link|1996 Porto Alegre mayoral election|lt=1996|pt|Eleição municipal de Porto Alegre em 1996}} with 55% of the valid votes, Raul Pont continued the PT's hallmarks in the administration of Porto Alegre, such as participatory budgeting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resultado das eleições municipais 1996 Porto Alegre |url=https://resultados.tre-rs.jus.br/eleicoes/1996/ele9688013.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125190947/https://resultados.tre-rs.jus.br/eleicoes/1996/ele9688013.htm |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Tribunal Regional Eleitoral do Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paz |first=Walmaro |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Orçamento participativo saiu das mãos da comunidade, diz ex-prefeito de Porto Alegre Raul Pont |url=https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2022/03/30/orcamento-participativo-saiu-das-maos-da-comunidade-diz-ex-prefeito-de-porto-alegre-raul-pont/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423202553/https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2022/03/30/orcamento-participativo-saiu-das-maos-da-comunidade-diz-ex-prefeito-de-porto-alegre-raul-pont/ |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Brasil de Fato |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oliveira |first=Osmany |date=April 27, 2012 |title=Novas dimensões de ação coletiva à luz das interações entre atores sociais e instituições participativas: mecanismos, efeitos e difusão |url=https://sdpscp.fflch.usp.br/sites/sdpscp.fflch.usp.br/files/inline-files/77-238-1-PB.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414084431/https://sdpscp.fflch.usp.br/sites/sdpscp.fflch.usp.br/files/inline-files/77-238-1-PB.pdf |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Faculty of Philosophy, Languages and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo}}</ref> During his administration, the PT began its most grandiose project in the capital, the construction of the {{Interlanguage link|3rd perimetral (Porto Alegre, Brazil)|lt=3rd perimetral|pt|3.ª Perimetral }}, an expressway that connects the south to the north without passing through the city center.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Rodrigues |first=Rejane Penna |last2=Marcellino |first2=Nelson Carvalho |date=September 20, 2011 |title=O Lazer nas Políticas Públicas Participativas de Porto Alegre: Estudo das Gestões Municipais de 1994 a 2004 |url=https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/licere/article/view/760 |url-status=live |journal=LICERE - Revista do Programa de Pós-graduação Interdisciplinar em Estudos do Lazer |language=pt |volume=14 |issue=3 |doi=10.35699/1981-3171.2011.760 |issn=1981-3171 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605183251/https://doi.org/10.35699/1981-3171.2011.760 |archive-date=June 5, 2021|doi-access=free }}</ref> Started in 1998, the Perimetral spent the entire first half of the 2000s under construction, being completed at the end of 2006.<ref name=":3" />

With the approval of re-election in 1997, the PT decided to hold internal preliminary elections for the {{Interlanguage link|2000 Porto Alegre mayoral election|pt|Eleição municipal de Porto Alegre em 2000|lt=2000}} municipal elections, breaking with the tradition of automatically nominating the deputy mayor. Raul Pont, José Fortunati and Tarso Genro competed.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Partidos gaúchos escalam mulheres contra hegemonia do PT |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/especialeleicoes_portoalegre.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423204426/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/especialeleicoes_portoalegre.htm |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S. Paulo}}</ref> Tarso was chosen and was elected to the PT's fourth consecutive term in Porto Alegre.<ref name=":4" /> Tarso Genro won the election and kept the PT in power in Porto Alegre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2000 |title=Vencedor diz que cumprirá mandato todo |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc3010200067.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423204911/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc3010200067.htm |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S.Paulo}}</ref> [[File:Reunião_PCdoB_com_Raul_Pont.jpg|thumb|From left to right: Raul Pont, Renato Rabelo and Manuela d'Ávila at a meeting of the Worker's Party (PT) and Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).]] In the {{Interlanguage link|2002 Rio Grande do Sul gubernatorial election|pt|Eleições estaduais no Rio Grande do Sul em 2002 |lt=2002 elections}}, Raul Pont was elected state deputy and returned to the ALRGS, he was the second most voted in the election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodrigues |first=Fernando |title=2002 - Deputado Estadual - Rio Grande do Sul - 100% apurado |url=https://www1.uol.com.br/fernandorodrigues/arquivos/eleicoes02/resultados/depest/rs.shl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107074214/https://www1.uol.com.br/fernandorodrigues/arquivos/eleicoes02/resultados/depest/rs.shl |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Universo Online}}</ref> In the same year, Tarso Genro resigned as mayor to run for governor, but was defeated, weakening the PT influence in the state capital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2002 |title=Tarso Genro deixa prefeitura para disputar governo gaúcho |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u30963.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423205422/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u30963.shtml |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S. Paulo}}</ref>

In 2004, the previously unchallenged PT dominance in Porto Alegre was under threat. Tarso's resignation, the lack of charisma of his deputy João Verle, and the unpopular PT federal government led the Porto Alegre party leadership to nominate Raul Pont for the mayoral election, as he had been the most popular mayor in the city in recent decades.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Gerchmann |first=Léo |date=October 31, 2004 |title=Eleições 2004 - Porto Alegre: Hegemonia de 16 anos do PT está em jogo na capital gaúcha |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc3110200453.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212013911/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc3110200453.htm |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S.Paulo}}</ref> Pont won the first round with 37.62% of the valid votes but was defeated in the runoff by José Fogaça of the Socialist People's Party (PPS).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=A e-campanha para a prefeitura de Porto Alegre : as estratégias persuasivas de José Fogaça e Raul Pont no segundo turno de 2004 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10183/7508 |url-status= |archive-date= |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> With broad support from opposition parties, Fogaça secured 53.32% of the valid votes, ahead of Pont, who received 46.68%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerchmann |first=Léo |date=November 1, 2024 |title=Porto Alegre: Após 16 anos, PT perde sua hegemonia - |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc0111200481.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820024035/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc0111200481.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S. Paulo}}</ref>

In 2005, Pont ran for the national presidency of the PT. As a member of the ''Democracia Socialista'', a faction with limited influence in the Palácio do Planalto, Pont was among the PT members advocating for the party's renewal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2005 |title=Pont quer "tensionar" governo por mudança |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc2809200513.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112002115/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc2809200513.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2006 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S. Paulo}}</ref> He was the most voted opposition candidate in the internal elections and advanced to the runoff against the establishment candidate Ricardo Berzoini of the ''Campo Majoritário'', but was ultimately defeated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2005 |title=Ricardo Berzoini e Raul Pont disputam presidência do PT |url=https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2005/09/27/ricardo-berzoini-e-raul-pont-disputam-presidencia-do-pt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423210523/https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2005/09/27/ricardo-berzoini-e-raul-pont-disputam-presidencia-do-pt |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Federal Senate |language=pt-br}}</ref>

In the 2006 elections, Pont was elected state deputy with 73,286 votes (1.22% of the total valid votes), achieving the third-highest vote count for the position, the highest among PT candidates, and the highest among re-elected candidates.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Folha Online - Especial - 2006 - Eleições - Apuração - Rio Grande do Sul - Deputado Estadual |url=https://eleicoes.folha.uol.com.br/folha/especial/2006/eleicoes/rs1de-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221190437/https://eleicoes.folha.uol.com.br/folha/especial/2006/eleicoes/rs1de-1.html |archive-date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Folha de S. Paulo}}</ref> He was re-elected in 2010 elections as state deputy with 65,430 votes.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Resultado RS {{!}} Eleições 2010 |url=https://www.clicrbs.com.br/eleicoes/2010/1turno/rs/resultado-eleicoes-2010.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227102601/https://www.clicrbs.com.br/eleicoes/2010/1turno/rs/resultado-eleicoes-2010.html |archive-date=December 27, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=ClicRBS}}</ref> Pont did not seek re-election in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 7, 2014 |title=Raul Pont demonstra desilusão com sistema político brasileiro |url=https://www.jornaldocomercio.com/economia/2014/09/1058320-petroleo-opera-em-queda-com-estoques-maiores-os-eua.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250423211410/https://www.jornaldocomercio.com/economia/2014/09/1058320-petroleo-opera-em-queda-com-estoques-maiores-os-eua.html |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Jornal do Comércio |language=pt-br}}</ref>

In {{Interlanguage link|2016 Porto Alegre mayoral election|pt|Eleição municipal de Porto Alegre em 2016|lt=2016}}, he ran again for mayor of Porto Alegre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Truda |first=Felipe |date=September 14, 2016 |title='Não poderia ficar calado', diz Raul Pont sobre disputa em Porto Alegre |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/noticia/2016/09/nao-poderia-ficar-calado-diz-raul-pont-sobre-disputa-em-porto-alegre.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102121542/https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/noticia/2016/09/nao-poderia-ficar-calado-diz-raul-pont-sobre-disputa-em-porto-alegre.html |archive-date=November 2, 2018 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=G1 |language=pt-br}}</ref> He finished in third place and did not advance to the second round.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Pont |first=Raul |date=October 29, 2021 |title=O segundo turno em Porto Alegre |url=https://sul21.com.br/colunasraul-pont/2016/10/o-segundo-turno-em-porto-alegre/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423212142/https://sul21.com.br/colunasraul-pont/2016/10/o-segundo-turno-em-porto-alegre/ |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Sul21}}</ref> In the second round, he chose not to support either Sebastião Melo (PMDB) or Nelson Marchezan Júnior (PSDB).<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jungblut |first=Cristiane |date=October 10, 2016 |title=PT não deve apoiar ninguém no segundo turno em Porto Alegre |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/pt-nao-deve-apoiar-ninguem-no-segundo-turno-em-porto-alegre-20233239 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425000525/https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/pt-nao-deve-apoiar-ninguem-no-segundo-turno-em-porto-alegre-20233239 |archive-date=April 25, 2025 |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=O Globo |language=pt-BR}}</ref> In the 2022 presidential election, he opposed the alliance between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Geraldo Alckmin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seabra |first=Catia |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Esquerda petista fala em aliança temerária de Lula com Alckmin e eleva pressão contra chapa |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2022/03/esquerda-petista-fala-em-alianca-temeraria-de-lula-com-alckmin-e-eleva-pressao-contra-chapa.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207071952/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2022/03/esquerda-petista-fala-em-alianca-temeraria-de-lula-com-alckmin-e-eleva-pressao-contra-chapa.shtml |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}}</ref> Despite the alliance's disagreement with Alckmin, he supported Lula's ticket in the election.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/profjosete/videos/2125480217651064/ |title=O companheiro Raul Pont é um dos fundadores do PT, foi deputado federal e prefeito de Porto Alegre, com uma trajetória de coerência e compromisso com a... {{!}} By Professora Josete {{!}} Facebook |date=September 28, 2022 |last=Silva |first=Josete |type=Video |language=pt-br |access-date=April 25, 2025 |via=Facebook}}</ref>

In 2023, he received the title of 'Deputy Emeritus' from the ALRGS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Raul Pont recebe da Assembleia Legislativa o título de Deputado Emérito |url=https://ptassembleiars.org.br/2023/11/29/raul-pont-recebe-da-assembleia-legislativa-o-titulo-de-deputado-emerito/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423212535/https://ptassembleiars.org.br/2023/11/29/raul-pont-recebe-da-assembleia-legislativa-o-titulo-de-deputado-emerito/ |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=PT Assembleia RS |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nabinger |first=Felipe |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Raul Pont recebe título de deputado emérito na Assembleia do RS |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/raul-pont-recebe-t%C3%ADtulo-de-deputado-em%C3%A9rito-na-assembleia-do-rs-1.1426527 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250423212608/https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/pol%C3%ADtica/raul-pont-recebe-t%C3%ADtulo-de-deputado-em%C3%A9rito-na-assembleia-do-rs-1.1426527 |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Correio do Povo |language=pt-br}}</ref>

== Electoral performance == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Electoral Performance of Raul Pont ! style="width:8%" | Year ! style="width:20%" | Election ! style="width:12%" | Position ! style="width:8%" | Party ! style="width:15%" | Coalition ! style="width:12%" | Substitutes ! style="width:10%" | Votes ! style="width:15%" | Result ! style="width:10%" | Ref. |- | 1982 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | Senator | PT | {{small|PT}} | {{small|Avani Keller, José Losada}} | 47,234 | {{no|Not elected}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite book |url=https://cdn.fee.tche.br/digitalizacao/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985-texto.pdf |title=Estatísticas eleitorais: 1982 - 1985 |publisher=Fundação de Economia e Estatística |year=1986 |location=Porto Alegre |pages=86 |language=pt-br |access-date=2025-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228170816/https://cdn.fee.tche.br/digitalizacao/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985/estatisticas-eleitorais-1982-1985-texto.pdf |archive-date=2023-12-28}}</ref> |- | 1985 | Municipal election in Porto Alegre | Mayor | PT | {{small|PT}} | {{small|Vice: Clóvis Ilgenfritz}} | 68,429 | {{no|Not elected}} {{small|(3rd place)}} |- | 1986 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | State Deputy | PT | {{small|PT}} | {{n/a}} | 37,171 | {{yes|'''Elected'''}} {{small|(most voted in PT)}} |<ref>{{cite journal |date=1986-11-25 |title=Assembléia Legislativa |url=https://memoria.bn.gov.br/DocReader/DocReader.aspx?bib=885959&pesq=%22Raul%20Pont%22&pasta=ano%20198&hf=memoria.bn.gov.br&pagfis=96357 |journal=O Pioneiro |volume=39 |issue=276 |pages=15 |access-date=2025-04-24}}</ref> |- | 1990 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | Federal Deputy | PT | {{small|PT}} | {{n/a}} | 68,947 {{small|(1.29%)}} | {{yes|'''Elected'''}} {{small|(4th in PT)}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=Resultados da Eleição Geral de 1990 |url=https://resultados.tre-rs.jus.br/eleicoes/1990/index.html |url-status= |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Tribunal Regional Eleitoral do Rio Grande do Sul}}</ref> |- | 1994 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | Senator | PT | {{small|PT / PSB / PCdoB}} | {{n/a}} | 664,167 {{small|(14.74%)}} | {{no|Not elected}} {{small|(3rd place)}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=Resultados das Eleições 1994 - Rio Grande do Sul - senador |url=https://www.tse.jus.br/eleicoes/eleicoes-anteriores/eleicoes-1994/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994/rio-grande-do-sul/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994-rio-grande-do-sul-senador |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211052549/https://www.tse.jus.br/eleicoes/eleicoes-anteriores/eleicoes-1994/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994/rio-grande-do-sul/resultados-das-eleicoes-1994-rio-grande-do-sul-senador |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Superior Electoral Court}}</ref> |- | 1996 | Municipal election in Porto Alegre | Mayor | PT | {{small|PT / PCdoB / PSB}} | {{n/a}} | 305,836 {{small|(55.04%)}} | {{yes|'''Elected'''}} {{small|(1st round)}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=Resultado das eleições municipais 1996 Porto Alegre |url=https://resultados.tre-rs.jus.br/eleicoes/1996/ele9688013.htm |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Tribunal Regional Eleitoral do Rio Grande do Sul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125190947/https://resultados.tre-rs.jus.br/eleicoes/1996/ele9688013.htm |archive-date=2025-01-25}}</ref> |- | 2002 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | State Deputy | PT | {{small|PT / PCdoB / PMN}} | {{small|Miriam Marroni (PT),<br>Roque Graziottin (PT)}} | 77,086 {{small|(1.44%)}} | {{yes|'''Elected'''}} {{small|(2nd most voted)}} |<ref>{{cite web |last=Rodrigues |first=Fernando |title=2002 - Deputado Estadual - Rio Grande do Sul - 100% apurado |url=https://www1.uol.com.br/fernandorodrigues/arquivos/eleicoes02/resultados/depest/rs.shl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107074214/https://www1.uol.com.br/fernandorodrigues/arquivos/eleicoes02/resultados/depest/rs.shl |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Universo Online}}</ref> |- | 2004 | Municipal election in Porto Alegre | Mayor | PT | {{small|PT / PCdoB / PSB}} | {{n/a}} | 262,430 {{small|(37.62% 1st round;<br>46.68% 2nd round)}} | {{no|Not elected}} {{small|(1st in 1st round, lost runoff)}} | <ref name=":6" /> |- | 2005 | PT National Presidency | President | PT | {{small|Democracia Socialista}} | {{n/a}} | 105,257 {{small|(48.4%)}} | {{no|Not elected}} {{small|(2nd place, lost runoff)}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corsalette |first=Conrado |date=October 12, 2005 |title=Berzoini vence eleições do PT e quer pacto para reeleger Lula |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u73189.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730053455/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u73189.shtml |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Folha de S. Paulo}}</ref> |- | 2006 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | State Deputy | PT | {{small|PT / PCdoB}} | {{small|Julio Quadros (PT),<br>Luís Fernando Schmidt (PT)}} | 73,286 {{small|(1.22%)}} | {{yes|'''Re-elected'''}} {{small|(3rd most voted, 1st in PT)}} | <ref name=":7" /> |- | 2010 | Gubernatorial election in Rio Grande do Sul | State Deputy | PT | {{small|PT / PCdoB}} | {{small|Adão Villaverde (PT),<br>Stela Farias (PT)}} | 65,430 {{small|(1.08%)}} | {{yes|'''Re-elected'''}} {{small|(26th most voted, 5th in PT)}} | <ref name=":8" /> |- | 2016 | Municipal election in Porto Alegre | Mayor | PT | {{small|PT / PCdoB}} | {{n/a}} | 83,806 {{small|(12.09%)}} | {{no|Not elected}} {{small|(3rd place)}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resultado da apuração das Eleições 2016 em Porto Alegre para prefeito e vereador |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/apuracao/porto-alegre.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220033150/https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/eleicoes/2016/apuracao/porto-alegre.html |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=G1 |language=pt-br}}</ref> |}

== References ==

{{reflist}}

Category:Living people Category:1944 births Category:Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul alumni Category:Members of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul Category:Brazilian people of Catalan descent Category:Workers' Party (Brazil) politicians Category:Mayors of Porto Alegre Category:Academic staff of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Category:Brazilian Trotskyists Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies (Brazil) from Rio Grande do Sul Category:20th-century Brazilian historians Category:21st-century Brazilian historians Category:Brazilian trade unionists Category:People from Uruguaiana