Dorival Renato Pavan, the president of the Mato Grosso do Sul Court of Justice, has taken office as interim governor of the Brazilian state.
The appellate judge assumed the position on Sunday, November 1, and will hold the post until November 6. His temporary appointment follows the concurrent absence of Governor Eduardo Riedel, Vice Governor Barbosinha, and Legislative Assembly President Gerson Claro.
Under Article 87 of the State Constitution of Mato Grosso do Sul, the president of the state court takes charge of the government when the governor, the vice governor, and the president of the legislative assembly are all absent at the same time.
Constitutional succession and public handover
Riedel announced the temporary transfer of authority in a social media video alongside Pavan, informing the public of his absence and the judge's interim administration. In the message, the governor wished Pavan good luck and a productive week marked by his customary responsibility, adding that he had no doubt the state was in excellent hands.
In the same video, Pavan said he intended to maintain administrative continuity without disruption to ensure that the conditions established by Riedel remained in place. The judge stated that he viewed the temporary mission as an expression of harmony and cooperation that should guide relations between the branches of government, always for the benefit of the people of Mato Grosso do Sul.
History of judicial leadership in the state
Pavan is the fourth court president to assume the governorship in the history of Mato Grosso do Sul. The state, located in central-western Brazil with its capital in Campo Grande, has previously turned to its judiciary to head the executive branch on three occasions.
Jose Augusto de Souza was the first judge to do so, governing Mato Grosso do Sul for several hours in 2002. In 2006, appellate judge Claudionor Miguel Abss Duarte held the office for 12 days, between September 20 and October 2. The most recent instance prior to Pavan occurred in 2019, when then-court president Paschoal Carmello Leandro served as interim governor from the afternoon of July 8 to the following day.
Inquiries into official leaves of absence
Riedel and Claro are members of the Progressive Party, known as the PP, while Barbosinha represents the Republicanos party. The source of the simultaneous leaves was not specified in the initial announcements. CNN Brasil contacted the press offices of both the state government and the legislative assembly to ask why the officials took leave, and the news organisation is awaiting a response.
Pavan will remain in the role of interim governor until November 6, completing the six-day period established for the temporary judicial leadership of the executive branch.
