Brazil Supreme Court Schedules Aug. 19 Hearing on Rio de Janeiro Interim Governorship Election

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) has set August 19 for a hearing on a lawsuit seeking direct elections for the interim governor of Rio de Janeiro. The case was paused in April after minister Flávio Dino requested a review.

The dispute stems from the PSD’s challenge to a decision by the Superior Electoral Court that ordered an indirect election by the state assembly, following the resignation and ineligibility of former governor Claudio Castro, the departure of ex‑vice governor Thiago Pampolha to the state audit court, and the removal of former assembly president Rodrigo Bacellar. The PSD argues for a popular vote, while the tribunal‑appointed interim governor is currently Ricardo Couto de Castro, president of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice.