Former governor Cláudio Castro (PL) Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) published this Tuesday (16) the ruling that made Cláudio Castro (PL) ineligible. The decision was formalized after analyzing the resources and statements presented by the former governor's defense. The decision reaffirms that new elections must be held for the buffer mandate, but it is the Federal Supreme Court (STF) that will decide whether the election will be direct, at the polls, or indirect, through the Legislative Assembly. The TSE ruling also made official the ineligibility of the former president of Alerj, Rodrigo Bacellar, until 2030 for abuse of political and economic power. The case involved the Ceperj Foundation and Uerj in the 2022 elections. 📱Download the g1 app to see news from RJ in real time and for free Now on g1 The publication of the decision maintains the results of the TSE vote. The ministers rejected practically all requests for review made by the defenses and the Public Electoral Ministry (MPE). The MPE tried to obtain an express declaration of revocation of the diplomas of Cláudio Castro and the then elected vice-governor, Thiago Pampolha. However, the majority of ministers rejected this request, maintaining the understanding that there was not a sufficient majority to decree the revocation of the diplomas after the resignations. Cláudio Castro decided to leave his position on the eve of the trial last March, and Pampolha resigned last year to become an advisor to the State Court of Auditors. The ruling determined the holding of new elections for the buffer mandate for the state government, but did not define the format — whether the vote will be direct — by popular vote — or indirect — a choice of Alerj deputies. This decision is up to the STF, which has been analyzing how the new governor will be chosen since the beginning of April. Minister Flávio Dino asked for a review, that is, more time to analyze the process, when the score was 4 to 1 in favor of indirect elections. The rapporteur, minister Cristiano Zanin, was the only one so far to vote in favor of direct elections. Without a definition, the president of the Court of Justice of Rio, judge Ricardo Couto, remains acting governor. The STF is also awaiting the end of processing of all appeals. With the publication of the TSE ruling, there is a period of three days for the parties to contest the decision. As the Supreme Court goes into recess next month, this means that the decision may only be made in August or September, very close to the elections already scheduled for October. This Tuesday, at a lunch with businesspeople, the acting governor said that he believes he will remain in office at least until September. "I am here and apparently I will continue for, I estimate, 90 days. Maybe, even longer. But today the forecast would be more or less 90 days. Considering the idea of ​​an election, a direct or indirect election, we would have a person to stay in government for the remaining period. Then the elected governor would take over. I don't know if it is the best solution", said Ricardo Couto. "The Supreme Court has been carrying out an operation by mentioning that what matters is the date of the event giving rise to the assumption. When the double vacancy occurred, the only person who would have legitimacy would be the president of the Court. And placing the president of the Court and then, in the following months, placing the president of Alerj, and then, in the following months, placing an elected governor, this would bring tremendous insecurity. The option so far, by the Supreme Court, has been the option for security", he added. What Cláudio Castro's defense says Cláudio Castro's defense informed that it respects the TSE's decision, but that it disagrees with its conclusions and understands that there are relevant legal points that still need to be assessed by the competent authorities. The defense also declared that it will adopt the appropriate legal measures to seek the reversal of the decision, always with respect to electoral justice and confidence in due legal process. 🟩g1 Rio is on GloboPop, Globo's new vertical short video app, available for free on your cell phone. On the app, you can follow the g1 Rio stage so you don't miss any episode. Download GloboPop.