# Supreme Court Prolongs Influence Over Rio de Janeiro State Politics Legal disputes over election results and gubernatorial succession keep the STF deeply involved. - **Source:** [Folha – Poder](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ec180d0b-5567-4dd0-b95c-89bffa8b0473 ## Extended Judicial Oversight The Supreme Federal Court (STF) continues to exert significant influence over Rio de Janeiro's political landscape. A new legal challenge filed by the PSD party regarding the gubernatorial election results ensures that the court's involvement in state affairs will extend for nearly a year, impacting both governance and electoral legitimacy. ## Disputed Election Results The PSD is petitioning the STF to mandate a second-round runoff between Douglas Ruas and Eduardo Paes. This follows the Superior Electoral Court's decision to nullify votes for Anthony Garotinho, which pushed Ruas past the 50 percent threshold. The party argues this action improperly altered the collective choice of 274,000 voters. ## Zanin's Central Role Minister Cristiano Zanin serves as the rapporteur for this case, placing the future of the Guanabara Palace under his direct scrutiny. Zanin previously issued a preliminary injunction that installed Ricardo Couto as interim governor. The court is now awaiting formal statements from the Attorney General's Office and the Public Prosecutor's Office. ## Interim Governance Stability Ricardo Couto, president of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice, remains the interim governor following the resignation of Cláudio Castro. Despite calls from Douglas Ruas to assume the position based on state succession laws, the STF has maintained Couto in power, effectively creating a prolonged period of judicial administration in the state. ## Operation Unha e Carne The court's reach stems from the broader Operation Unha e Carne, which investigated ties between politicians and organized crime. These investigations led to the imprisonment of several key figures, including former assembly president Rodrigo Bacellar. These judicial actions created the power vacuum that ultimately necessitated the current interim government arrangements. ## Political Mobilization Efforts Supporters of Eduardo Paes have launched social media campaigns and organized public events to pressure the Supreme Court into ordering a new election. Conversely, Douglas Ruas has sought to block these mobilization efforts, labeling them as sources of misinformation, while simultaneously proceeding with his own transition team and cabinet appointments. ## Constitutional Succession Conflicts The current governance crisis highlights deep conflicts regarding the state's line of succession. With the vice-governor position vacant and the assembly president imprisoned, the judiciary assumed executive duties. Critics from the PL party describe this as an unprecedented judicial intervention, while supporters argue it was necessary to address systemic corruption. ## Implications for State Stability The ongoing legal uncertainty leaves Rio de Janeiro in a precarious state of transition. As the STF deliberates on whether to trigger a second round, the state remains governed by an interim official appointed by the court. This situation underscores the fragile balance between judicial authority and democratic electoral processes in Brazil. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/poder/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/11/debate-sobre-2o-turno-no-rj-mantem-atuacao-do-stf-na-politica-estadual-por-um-ano.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._