Eduardo Paes resigned from his position as the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro on Friday, October 20, and passed the baton to his Deputy Mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, during a ceremony at the Palácio da Cidade in Botafogo. At just 31 years old, Cavaliere assumes the role as the youngest mayor in the city’s history since the merger of states took place in 1975. Paes mentioned that his resignation is tied to his intentions to run for the state governor's office in the upcoming elections this October.

This change in leadership comes as a surprise considering Paes's previous commitment to serve out the entirety of his term if re-elected in 2024. During the campaign, Paes had assured voters that he would remain in office until the end of his term, reflecting a shift in his political strategy. This is Paes’s fourth time holding the office of mayor, previously serving from 2009 to 2012, then from 2013 to 2016, and again from 2021 until his resignation.

Cavaliere’s ascension carries significant implications for the political landscape in Rio, particularly as he prepares to lead the city while his predecessor runs for higher office. With his youth, Cavaliere could represent a new generation of leadership in the city. Paes's resignation not only creates a leadership transition but also reflects broader electoral strategies as the major players gear up for the critical elections ahead.