TSE Halts Roraima Governor Case Again After Mendonça Backs Ouster

Overview

• Before the pause, Minister André Mendonça read his vote to annul the mandates of Governor Antonio Denarium and Vice Governor Edilson Damião and called for immediate execution of the decision.
• This is the third suspension of the case at the Superior Electoral Court, and a new date to resume the trial has not been set.
• Rapporteur Isabel Gallotti had previously voted to uphold the TRE-RR ruling that removed the pair, imposed eight years of ineligibility, and ordered new elections in Roraima.
• The case centers on alleged electoral use of the Cesta da Família and Morar Melhor programs created in the 2022 election year, atypical transfers of about R$70 million to municipalities, and misuse of government advertising, which the defense denies.
• The Electoral Prosecutor’s Office issued a June 2024 opinion urging cassation and an eight-year ineligibility penalty for the governor.