The ceremony to hand over the position of City Hall this Friday (20) included an electoral resignation speech from the mayor () and a moment of confrontation with the president of the TRE-RJ (Regional Electoral Court), Claudio de Mello Tavares.
At the end of Paes’ speech, singers Dudu Nobre took to the stage and sang an excerpt from “Moleque Atrevido”, by Jorge Aragão. In the end, the original verse “respect those who were able to reach where we have reached” was changed by singer Dudu Nobre as “respect Eduardo Paes for governor”.
Paes, who gave a pre-campaign speech to the state government, laughed and scratched his head.
“The president of the Regional Electoral Court saw what I didn’t see. I have no responsibility. The crime was Dudu Nobre’s, not Dudu Paes,” Paes said into the microphone.
“It was all improvised, forgive me”, said Dudu Nobre, who as he left the stage shouted: “Hello TRE!”
Early electoral propaganda before August 16th is a crime. The practice is prohibited in the pre-campaign with an explicit request to vote or using terms known as “magic words” of support. The legislation provides for fines and other sanctions for the practice.
In his speech, the now former mayor mentioned two samba verses, by Almir Guineto and Moacyr Luz, two biblical passages, and used public safety as the main theme.
The issue was explored during the fourth term with the creation of an armed municipal force and even more actively since last week, following the arrest of councilor Salvino Oliveira (PSD) on suspicion of contacts with Comando Vermelho. He had his arrest revoked three days later.
“We can no longer allow the infiltration of crime into politics and the politicization of police forces, central problems and conditions of the serious crisis we face in public security. While state institutions are corroding, violence suffocates our peace and takes innocent lives”, stated the pre-candidate for government.
In a nod to the politicians who must form the basis of support for the candidacy, Paes said that the group is “armed with faith”. The handover ceremony of the municipal Executive Branch also included mentions of municipalities in the interior of the state.
Paes recalled the defeat he suffered against Wilson Witzel, then in the PSC, in the election for governor in 2018. He said that the setback happened because “the people of Rio de Janeiro were deceived by the false promises and magical solutions of a fraudster who ended up being impeached because of corruption in his government”.
Indirectly, he justified breaking his promise to complete his fourth term as a way of responding to a call.
“When I cross the gates of this palace, the mayor will remain behind, but the public man will move forward. And as a public man I have a mission, a calling that in the darkest hours revives my soul and impels me to act. We can no longer tolerate the destruction of our state,” he said.
