Rio Assembly President Douglas Ruas Loses Court Case Amid Commission Overhaul

A Rio de Janeiro court rejected a criminal complaint filed by Douglas Ruas, the president of the state Legislative Assembly (Alerj), against mayor Rodrigo Neves of Niterói. The complaint, stemming from accusations made during the 2024 municipal campaign, was dismissed by the 3ª Vara Criminal de São Gonçalo for lack of interest, leaving Ruas’s legal challenge unanswered.

Separately, Ruas initiated a reorganization of Alerj’s permanent commissions, replacing the historically left‑wing chaired Commission of Human Rights and Citizenship with a slate of right‑leaning deputies. The move, viewed as an attempt to align the commission with bolsonarist positions, has provoked criticism from opposition parties and discussions of possible legal actions to reverse the changes.