Ângela Moraes Guadagnin (born Ângela Moraes on April 8, 1948, in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian physician and politician affiliated with the Workers' Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT). She has held several elected offices, including mayor of São José dos Campos (1993–1996), federal deputy for the State of São Paulo (1999–2007), and city councilwoman in São José dos Campos.
Early Career and Education
Guadagnin entered the medical program at the Universidade de Taubaté in 1968, graduating in 1974. In 1988, she earned a master's degree in public health from the University of São Paulo. In 2001, while serving as a federal deputy, she obtained a master's degree in policy from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Political Career
- Mayor of São José dos Campos (January 1, 1993 – December 31, 1996): She succeeded Pedro Yves Simão and was succeeded by Emanuel Fernandes.
- Federal Deputy for São Paulo (January 1, 1999 – January 31, 2007): She served two consecutive four-year terms in the Chamber of Deputies.
- City Councilwoman of São José dos Campos (January 1, 2009 – January 1, 2012): She returned to municipal politics after her defeat in the 2006 federal elections.
The "Pizza Dance" Incident
In March 2006, during the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Guadagnin gained national attention when she performed a celebratory dance on the floor of the Chamber of Deputies. The dance occurred during a vote that resulted in the acquittal of fellow PT deputy João Magno on corruption charges related to the Mensalão scandal (a large vote-buying scheme in the Brazilian Congress).
Before the vote count was officially concluded, but when it was already clear that Magno would be acquitted, Guadagnin stood up, began dancing, and walked toward the stairway in full view of television cameras. The dance was dubbed the "dança da pizza" (pizza dance), a reference to the Brazilian expression "acabar em pizza" (literally "to end up in pizza"), meaning that a scandal or investigation ends with no significant consequences — as if those involved simply go out for pizza instead of facing accountability.
The incident generated widespread media coverage and public backlash. Guadagnin later apologized, stating: "I can only ask for forgiveness and understanding, because I am a human being and I express my feelings."
Electoral Consequences
The statewide repercussion of the "pizza dance" episode was significant. In the 2006 elections for the national Chamber of Deputies, Guadagnin was resoundingly defeated. However, she successfully returned to politics two years later by winning a seat on the São José dos Campos City Council for the 2009–2012 term.
