# Cuiabá municipal legislative and political tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cuiab-municipal-legislative-and-political-tensions
> Updated: 2026-09-19T14:18:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Political tensions in Mato Grosso have intensified following a judicial ruling regarding the Cuiabá Municipal Chamber’s internal regulations. The Court of Justice of Mato Grosso (TJ/MT) denied an injunction requested by Mayor Abilio Brunini (PL), upholding the requirement of a two-thirds quorum—specifically 18 out of 27 votes—to amend the Chamber’s rules.

The ruling has direct implications for local leadership, specifically impacting the reelection efforts of Chamber President Paula Calil. The Mayor’s administration had sought to reduce the required votes to 14 to facilitate her reelection. This legal setback has caused a political rift within the Chamber, leading council members Dilemário Alencar and Baixinha Giraldelli to break away from the governing group. While some council members have pledged to use all available means to secure Calil’s position, others have criticized the attempt to use the judiciary to bypass internal legislative debates.

## Claims

- The Mato Grosso Court of Justice denied a request to lower the quorum required for changes to the Cuiabá Municipal Chamber's Internal Regulations. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Current regulations require a two-thirds majority, or 18 out of 27 votes, to approve strategic changes to the Chamber's rules. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Cuiabá Mayor Abilio Brunini dismissed the need for diplomatic negotiations with council members Dilemário Alencar and Baixinha Giraldelli following their political rupture. (single source)
- Councilman Rafael Ranalli expressed support for Paula Calil, stating she will use all available means to seek reelection as President of the Chamber. (single source)
- Councilman Daniel Monteiro argued that changes to the Chamber's Internal Regulations should be debated and voted on by parliamentarians rather than through judicial intervention. (single source)
- The political divide in the Chamber is currently estimated at a balance of 12 votes for each opposing group. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: Cuiabá Municipal Chamber faces political rift over rule changes

Political conflict intensifies in Cuiabá's Municipal Chamber after the TJMT upheld a two-thirds quorum requirement for rule changes, complicating Paula Calil's reelection bid and causing a governing rift.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuiab-municipal-chamber-faces-political-rift-over-rule-changes

### 2026-09-11: Mato Grosso politics: PL-MDB alliance and Cuiabá court ruling

Political alliances between PL and MDB are forming in Mato Grosso, while a court ruling in Cuiabá upheld strict quorum requirements for the City Council, rejecting a challenge by Mayor Abilio Brunini.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-politics-pl-mdb-alliance-and-cuiab-court-ruling

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Cite as: Cuiabá municipal legislative and political tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cuiab-municipal-legislative-and-political-tensions
