In a new development of the legal debate on the succession of the government of Rio de Janeiro, minister Cristiano Zanin, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), decided that the president of the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro, judge Ricardo Couto, must continue as governor of the state until the conclusion of the trial in the Court on the format of the buffer election for the Rio de Janeiro Executive.
From the appointment of vice-governor Thiago Pampolha to the State Court of Auditors (TCE) in May 2025 to the most recent election of the Legislative Assembly (Alerj) presidency last week, the political crisis in the state escalates. See the main moments below:
May 21, 2025
Alerj approves the appointment of Thiago Pampolha to the State Audit Court (TCE). On the same day, he resigns as vice-governor and takes over as advisor.
December 3, 2025
President of Alerj, Rodrigo Bacellar is arrested on suspicion of connections to organized crime
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December 8, 2025
By 42 votes to 21, deputies revoke Bacellar’s arrest. The following day, the STF imposes precautionary measures, such as removal from the presidency of Alerj and the use of an ankle bracelet — after which he takes leave
March 23, 2026
On the eve of the conclusion of the trial at the TSE, Cláudio Castro resigns as governor of Rio. President of the TJ-RJ, judge Ricardo Couto takes over on an interim basis
March 24, 2026
The TSE sentences Castro to eight years of ineligibility for abuse of political and economic power. In the same process, Bacellar’s mandate as state deputy was revoked
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March 25, 2026
STF begins to judge the rules of the election for the buffer mandate: whether via direct or indirect elections
March 26, 2026
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Douglas Ruas is elected president of Alerj, but the TJ-RJ cancels the session on the grounds that it was necessary to wait for the totalization of votes resulting from Bacellar’s impeachment
March 27, 2026
Bacellar is arrested by the PF on orders from Alexandre de Moraes, from the STF. On the same day, minister Cristiano Zanin grants an injunction to keep Ricardo Couto as acting governor until the case is concluded in the Court
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April 8, 2026
The STF resumes its judgment on the rules for the buffer election. Rapporteur Zanin reiterates the vote for direct dispute and opens the way for a single election, in October
April 9, 2026
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Under the argument that it was necessary to wait for the TSE decision that condemned Castro, minister Flávio Dino asked for a review and interrupted the trial with a score of 4 to 1 for the indirect election
April 17, 2026
Douglas Ruas is elected president of Alerj with 44 votes
April 23, 2026
Alerj asks the STF that the President of the House return to the line of succession, with Ruas taking over the government until the buffer election. On the same day, the TSE publishes the ruling that made Castro ineligible, recognizing that the revocation of his mandate had no effect due to his resignation
April 24, 2026
Zanin reiterates that judge Ricardo Couto must continue as acting governor until the conclusion of the judgment on the format of the buffer election
