Rio de Janeiro Assembly's Spending Oversight Commission Suspended by Court

The 4th Public Treasury Court of Rio de Janeiro issued a liminar suspending the Special Commission for Containment of State Expenditures, which had been created by the Assembly (Alerj) president Deputy Douglas Ruas in May. The judge, Caroline Fonseca, ruled that the commission violated the Assembly's internal regulations by having an overly broad mandate that overlaps with permanent committees and the State Court of Auditors. The suspension follows a popular action filed by lawyer Felipe Vieira Avellar.

The commission, seen by many legislators as a retaliatory response to Governor‑interim Ricardo Couto’s cost‑cutting measures—including the dismissal of thousands of commissioned officials—had already sent information requests to the State Court of Justice, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office and the state government. Its members, including relator Deputy Alan Lopes, had questioned the judiciary’s budget and met with the State Planning Secretary. The Assembly announced it will appeal the decision.