TSE forms majority against Cícero Lucena's candidacy, but decision is not yet definitive

Even with the majority, however, Cícero Lucena can run for the position of governor on Sunday (4), because there was a request for analysis from one of the court's ministers. In other words, the decision is not definitive, not even the votes already cast as being in favor of challenging the candidacy are unchangeable.

With the majority formed in favor of the challenge and a request for review, there are still two court ministers left to vote.

The judgment refers to an appeal by the Public Electoral Ministry (MPE), after the Regional Electoral Court of Paraíba (TRE-PB) decided to release the candidacy in September. Rapporteur of the appeal presented by the Regional Electoral Prosecutor's Office, minister Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, from the TSE, voted virtually to reject the registration of the candidacy.

In the vote, Cueva understood that there are sufficient elements to apply the prohibition provided for in article 17, paragraph 4, of the Federal Constitution to the case. He also stated that elements in the case record demonstrate, as a whole, that the MDB candidate would have been a beneficiary of the actions of a criminal faction in the 2020 and 2024 municipal elections. The case is being processed under secrecy.

Rede Paraíba contacted Cícero Lucena's defense, but did not receive a position on the majority formed in the TSE until the last update of this report.

Cícero Lucena was the target of a challenge from the Public Electoral Ministry. The request to prevent the candidacy was filed on August 16. On September 9, the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-PB) judged the action unfounded, thus releasing the candidacy for the government of Paraíba.

At the time, the defense reported that “at no time did Cícero Lucena participate in or join any criminal organization.” The action was processed in secrecy. The demonstration, however, indicates that the defense disputes any allegation of the mayor's involvement with a criminal organization.

This was the same reason presented in the action challenging the candidacy of Janine Lucena, daughter of Cícero Lucena. Janine Lucena is the former executive secretary of Health of João Pessoa and candidate for alternate senator in Paraíba.