Rio de Janeiro, Oct 6 (EFE).- The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, the centrist Eduardo Paes, was re-elected in the first round on Sunday, with 60.26% of the vote and 93.66% of the ballots counted, according to official results.
The 54-year-old Paes, backed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, dealt former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro (whose candidate came in second in Rio) the biggest defeat in these local elections.
Bolsonaro, who has his roots and stronghold in Rio de Janeiro politics, endorsed Alexandre Ramagem, who led the Brazilian Intelligence Agency during his administration (2019-2022) and is currently under investigation for alleged illegal spying.
Ramagem, also a federal deputy for the Liberal Party, received 30.95% of the votes despite having Bolsonaro and two of the former president’s politically active sons (Senator Flávio and Councilman Carlos) by his side.
Paes, from the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, served as mayor of Rio de Janeiro for two consecutive terms (2009-2017) and returned to the position in 2020.
His second term coincided with the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which he used to revolutionize the structure of a city that is one of the country’s main attractions.
Paes revitalized the old port area, promoted modern transport systems and numerous infrastructure projects, and encouraged significant investment in education and health, with financial support from Lula’s government for 2023 and a half.
Municipal elections were held in 5,569 cities on Sunday, with Rio de Janeiro being the second largest with five million voters. EFE
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