Rio’s Right Narrows Options as Castro’s Expected Exit Sets Up Assembly Pick for Interim Governor

Overview

• Governor Cláudio Castro is expected to step down by early April to run for the Senate, triggering an indirect selection in the state assembly for a caretaker through year’s end.
• Chief of staff Nicola Miccione is the leading name for the interim post, presented as a technical choice to manage a projected R$19 billion deficit without creating an incumbent advantage for October.
• The vice governorship remains empty after Thiago Pampolha moved to the State Court of Audit, which by law shifts the succession decision to the Legislative Assembly.
• The right in Rio is reshaping its October ticket, with secretary of Cities Douglas Ruas emerging as the most consensual potential candidate even as he weighs staying in the assembly race.
• Flávio Bolsonaro’s presidential bid and the arrest and removal of assembly president Rodrigo Bacellar have accelerated talks on alliances and possible running mates, including PP figures Rogério Lisboa and Wladimir Garotinho.