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Anthony Garotinho faces legal challenge to 2026 Rio candidacy
The Electoral Public Ministry (MPE) has requested the Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro (TRE-RJ) to deny the candidacy of former governor Anthony Garotinho for the 2026 state government elections. The request is based on a definitive conviction for administrative improbity related to the ‘Saúde em Movimento’ project during his tenure as Secretary of State for Government between 2005 and 2006.
The conviction, which reached final judgment on July 11, 2025, includes an eight-year suspension of political rights and an order to return R$ 234,454,400.00 to public funds. The MPE argues that this suspension prevents Garotinho from meeting the constitutional requirement of full exercise of political rights. Additionally, the coalition of candidate Eduardo Paes has filed a separate action to block the candidacy, citing the same conviction.
Garotinho, running for the Republicanos party, has contested the decision. His defense argues that the eight-year suspension should be counted from 2018, suggesting the penalty has already been served. Amidst these legal challenges, Garotinho has also undergone several changes to his running mate, most recently selecting André Monteiro, a former member of the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE), to join his ticket.
Entities
André Monteiro · Anthony Garotinho · Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais · Elaine Gonçalves · Ministério Público Eleitoral · Republicanos · Rio de Janeiro · Tribunal Regional Eleitoral do Rio de Janeiro
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The final judgment (trânsito em julgado) for the conviction occurred on July 11, 2025. diariodorio.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · odia.ig.com.br · www.tribunanf.com.br · oantagonista.com.br · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Garotinho has selected André Monteiro, a former BOPE member, as his new running mate. oantagonista.com.br · extra.globo.com · exame.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The defense argues the eight-year suspension should be counted from 2018, meaning the penalty has already been served. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · www.tribunanf.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br · www.metropoles.com
- [● 11 SOURCES] The MPE requested the rejection of Anthony Garotinho's candidacy for the Rio de Janeiro state government. diariodorio.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · odia.ig.com.br · blogdomagno.com.br · www.brasil247.com · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Garotinho was convicted of administrative improbity related to the 'Saúde em Movimento' project. diariodorio.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · odia.ig.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br · oantagonista.com.br · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The conviction includes an order to return R$ 234,454,400.00 to public funds. www.infomoney.com.br · oantagonista.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] The coalition of candidate Eduardo Paes has also filed an action to block Garotinho's candidacy. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · odia.ig.com.br · www.brasil247.com · oantagonista.com.br