Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice André Mendonça has dismissed claims that Cláudio Castro’s resignation from the governorship of Rio de Janeiro was a strategic maneuver to influence the state’s succession.
In a vote cast during the trial that began on April 9, 2026, Mendonça, who also serves on the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), argued that Castro’s departure does not constitute a misuse of purpose but is rather a process of disqualification to run for a Senate seat in the upcoming October elections.
The STF’s review aims to determine whether the resignation was a strategy to avoid a potential disqualification by the TSE, which could trigger indirect elections in the state.
The trial was halted following a request for review by Justice Flávio Dino, leaving the final decision pending.
So far, Justices Luiz Fux and Mendonça have supported indirect elections, while Cristiano Zanin has advocated for direct elections for the position.
According to the portal Metrópoles, the PSD, the party of pre-candidate Eduardo Paes, argues that Castro preemptively resigned to avoid disqualification, thereby favoring the selection of a new governor through an indirect election in the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), rather than a popular vote.
In his vote, Mendonça emphasized that Castro’s resignation was not unexpected, as it had been anticipated for months by political analysts.
He compared the situation to other cases of disqualification, citing precedents of public figures who left office to run for elections.
The minister also addressed the issue of power transition in the state, advocating for the new president of Alerj to temporarily assume the government until a caretaker governor is inaugurated.
The tenure of acting governor Ricardo Couto remains uncertain and depends on the outcome of the STF’s ruling on the election format.
The political scenario in Rio de Janeiro remains in suspense, with Castro’s allies closely monitoring developments in the selection of the new Alerj president, who may temporarily take command of the state.
The election of Douglas Ruas as the Assembly’s president was annulled by the Court of Justice, and Alerj is still awaiting the completion of procedures to appoint Rodrigo Bacellar’s replacement, whose term was revoked by the TSE.
Meanwhile, the government base linked to the PL is closely following the STF’s decisions, which will be crucial for the state’s political direction in the coming months.
The Supreme Court’s trial is seen as a turning point, as it will determine not only the method of selecting the new governor but also the balance of power in Rio de Janeiro’s politics until the general elections.
Original published at O Cafezinho.