Career
He is a graduate of the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul and taught at the College of Rio Grande, before becoming a television and print journalist. He has pledged to continue the participatory budgeting system introduced under the PT and his mandate expires in 2008. Political career
1979-1982: State Deputy, Rio Grande do Sul
1983-1986: Federal Deputy, Chamber of Deputies of Brazil
1987-2003: Senator, Senate of Brazil
2005-2009: Mayor of Porto Alegre
He is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award.