By Carol Amancio
Douglas Ruas, of the Liberal Party (PL) and governor-elect of the state of Rio de Janeiro, responded with irony to the legal offensive by Eduardo Paes, of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Brazil's highest court. The PSD is trying to reopen the race and force a runoff. Ruas, who is already preparing to take office, closed the subject: in his view, the election is over.
The appeal that seeks to reopen the Rio result
The PSD took the case to the court, where it is under the rapporteurship of Justice Cristiano Zanin. The party's argument is that the votes for Anthony Garotinho, which were annulled, should remain in the calculation of the absolute majority. If that were the rule, the state election would require a runoff.
The request is for a preliminary injunction (liminar), a quick provisional ruling. Zanin has up to 15 days to decide.
'The elections are over'
Ruas made no effort to hide his disdain for the move. He said the process is closed and sent a message to anyone who wants to run the state: there will be another chance in 2030.
"The elections are over. In 2030, we'll have them again. Anyone who wishes to be a candidate can join a party and seek registration with the courts," said the governor-elect.
Ruas describes the PSD's move as disrespect for the will of the people. In practice, Paes's party is trying in court what it did not achieve at the ballot box.
Inauguration stays on the calendar
While the appeal moves through the STF, the governor-elect is keeping to his schedule. His formal certification by the electoral authorities is set for December 18, and his inauguration for January 6, 2027. Ruas is continuing his preparations as if nothing had changed.
Why it matters
In Brazilian state elections, a runoff is held when no candidate wins an absolute majority of valid votes. That is why the treatment of Garotinho's annulled votes is the center of the dispute: the PSD argues they should still count when the majority is calculated, which would push the race to a second round.
Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil's most prominent states, and the outcome of this appeal will determine whether Ruas's path to the governor's office stays on its current schedule.
What comes next
All eyes are on Zanin. The justice has up to 15 days to say whether he grants the injunction the PSD is seeking. A denial would strengthen Ruas's position and the certification calendar. Any other outcome would open an unexpected legal dispute over an election that the governor-elect considers finished.
VDD Analysis
Challenging a result in court is any party's right. But it is hard not to see the PSD's action as an attempt to recount through the courts a victory that Rio's voters have already decided. Ruas's reply, firm and good-humored, points to a principle the right defends: the popular vote counts for more than legal juggling. The Supreme Court now has a chance to show that it respects the result of the ballot box.
