Brazilian Electoral Courts Reverse Penalties and Uphold Rulings on Politicians

The Paraná Regional Electoral Court (TRE‑PR) unanimously annulled a R$ 5,000 fine and lifted a publication ban imposed on Pedro Rousseff, the grand‑nephew of former president Dilma Rousseff, after he posted that the Superior Electoral Court had confirmed the ineligibility of former deputy Deltan Dallagnol. The judges based the reversal on a Supreme Court precedent that such statements fall within protected freedom of expression.

Other state electoral tribunals issued rulings in the same period. The Maranhão TRE stripped the mayor and vice‑mayor of São João Batista of their mandates for alleged vote‑buying and abuse of power. The Paraíba TRE rejected a challenge to the mayor of Mari, keeping Lucinha da Saúde in office. The Paraná TRE also fined a former mayor and a councillor in Livramento de Nossa Senhora for early electoral propaganda ahead of the 2028 municipal elections.

Separate judicial bodies upheld sanctions on former municipal executives: the Amazonas State Court of Accounts (TCE‑AM) maintained a fine and account rejection for ex‑mayor Andreson Cavalcante of Autazes over fiscal irregularities, while courts in Acre and Alagoas reversed previous convictions of ex‑mayors Ilderlei Cordeiro and Marcius Beltrão, citing lack of evidence of corrupt intent.