Marco Antônio Superman (Novo), Senate candidate in Minas Gerais, stated in an interview with GLOBO that "there is no femicide," justifying his position as a "conceptual confusion" on the subject. After criticism due to the fallout from the statement, he classified the term as a "left-wing neologism," arguing that the classification inserted in the Penal Code would not be necessary to combat crimes against women.
The candidate advocates for removing the term from the Penal Code, proposing the return to the simple homicide qualifier that existed before 2015. He stated he believes in exemplary punishment for any man who assaults women, but maintains this should not be done through "neologisms."
Currently, Brazilian legislation defines femicide as the act of killing a woman for reasons related to the condition of the female sex. Superman argues that penalties and punishments should be more severe than they already are, but questions the effectiveness of creating new terminological classifications to address actual violence against women.
