Eduardo Paes

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Eduardo Paes – Life, Political Career, and Influence

Learn about Eduardo Paes (born November 14, 1969) — Brazilian politician and three-time mayor of Rio de Janeiro, his political path, challenges, accomplishments, and legacy.

Introduction

Eduardo da Costa Paes is a prominent Brazilian politician best known for his leadership as mayor of Rio de Janeiro across multiple nonconsecutive terms. His administrations have been marked by large urban infrastructure projects, hosting mega-events (like the Olympics), contentious political alliances, and efforts at urban renewal. Paes remains a central figure in Brazilian municipal politics—one who has navigated complex challenges in a city of contrasts: from inequality, crime, and informal settlements to tourism, global visibility, and climate initiatives.

Early Life, Family & Education

Eduardo Paes was born on November 14, 1969 in Rio de Janeiro, then in the state of Guanabara, Brazil. Jardim Botânico neighborhood, later his family moved to São Conrado in Rio’s South Zone.

Paes earned a law degree (LL.B.) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). Public Policy & Government at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

During his youth, Paes was involved in local politics and gained early exposure to municipal administration in Rio via roles in district management.

Political Beginnings and Rise

Paes’s political career began in the early 1990s:

• In 1993, at age 23, he was appointed sub-mayor (subprefeito) of the Barra and Jacarepaguá districts, in Rio de Janeiro’s Zona Oeste.

• In 1996, he was elected a city councillor (vereador) of Rio de Janeiro under the PFL (Liberal Front Party) and gained one of the highest vote counts in the country for that office.

• In 1998, Paes was elected federal deputy (to Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies), representing the state of Rio de Janeiro.

• He intermittently held appointed positions in municipal government: for example, Secretary of Environment of Rio de Janeiro (2001–2002) and Secretary of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (2007–2008).

• Over the years, Paes changed party affiliations multiple times: PV, PFL, PTB, PSDB, PMDB, DEM, and later PSD.

These early roles helped Paes build a network, administrative experience, and political capital in Rio’s complex municipal landscape.

Tenure as Mayor of Rio de Janeiro

First Stays: 2009–2016

Paes was first elected mayor of Rio de Janeiro in late 2008, taking office on January 1, 2009. December 31, 2016.

His mayoral administrations are most associated with preparing Rio for mega-events:

• 2014 FIFA World Cup

• 2016 Summer Olympics & Paralympics
  Paes’s government accelerated infrastructure, urban mobility, and revitalization projects, especially in transport corridors, urban redevelopment, and public works.

Some flagship projects include:

• TransOeste, TransCarioca, TransOlímpica, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors

• Revitalization of the port area (Projeto Porto Maravilha)

• Demolition of the Elevado da Perimetral (an elevated highway) to transform waterfront access

• Expansion of cycling infrastructure, new public spaces, and transportation interconnectivity

Paes also took on environmental roles: during his second term, he led C40 Cities (Cities Climate Leadership Group), working on climate mitigation and urban sustainability initiatives.

Return to Office: 2021 onward

After a hiatus (during which he ran unsuccessfully for state governor in 2018), Paes ran again for mayor in 2020 and won a third term, assuming office on January 1, 2021.

In 2024, he won reelection in the first round with about 60.47% of valid votes—becoming the only mayor to win four terms in Rio’s history. longest-serving mayor in the city’s history.

His more recent governance faces challenges of public health (COVID-19 response), fiscal constraints, urban inequality, crime, and continuation of infrastructure projects disrupted during pandemic years.

Political Ideology, Leadership & Challenges

Paes positions himself as a pragmatic, centrist municipal leader. His approach emphasizes:

• Urban planning and mobility

• Infrastructure and modernization

• Public–private partnerships

• Environmental and climate commitments (urban resilience)

• Global positioning of Rio as a city of international relevance

However, his tenure has also been accompanied by controversies and criticisms:

• Allegations of “caixa dois” (undeclared campaign financing) in his campaigns, particularly involving the Odebrecht group.

• Questions about contractual practices, bidding irregularities, and the integrity of some public works

• The balancing act between delivering high-visibility projects (e.g. Olympic legacy) and addressing persistent social inequalities and informal settlement challenges

• Political maneuvering and alliances across the shifting party landscape in Brazil

These challenges reflect the tensions inherent in governing a megacity like Rio: the need to juggle symbolic infrastructure, day-to-day services, social welfare, public security, and political survival.

Legacy and Influence

Eduardo Paes’s impact on Rio can be seen in several dimensions:

1. Urban transformation
   The infrastructure projects and urban redevelopment initiatives under his administrations have reshaped parts of the city, especially in mobility and waterfront zones.

2. Olympic legacy
   Much of his first tenure was defined by hosting the Olympics. How much of the infrastructure and social benefits endure (versus being white elephants) will continue to be debated.

3. Climate & global urbanism
   His leadership in C40 and international visibility positioned Rio as a city that engages with global climate agendas, not just local governance.

4. Political model for municipal leadership
   His career demonstrates how local executive power, urban vision, and media narratives play a role in national and global political influence in Brazil.

5. Institutional memory and continuity
   By returning to office years after stepping down, Paes shows that municipal politics in large cities can have long arcs: a politician can reemerge and redefine past legacies.

Personality & Leadership Style

Paes is often characterized as energetic, ambitious, and responsive to symbolism and visibility. He communicates well in political campaigns and is adept at aligning with infrastructure and urban symbolism. Critics argue he sometimes emphasizes flashy projects over structural reforms.

He has shown flexibility in alliances and party affiliation, which suggests a pragmatic adaptability in Brazil’s complex party system. His ability to return to power after a period out of office implies strong local base and political resilience.

Selected Quotes

While direct, widely cited aphorisms are rarer in public sources, here are paraphrases and notable remarks associated with Paes:

• On Olympic handover: During the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony, Paes (then mayor) greeted Rio’s future role by accepting the Olympic flag from Mayor Boris Johnson, symbolizing the transfer of global scrutiny and opportunity.

• On urban ambition: He has frequently framed his mayoral terms as making Rio a “modern, global city” — emphasizing mobility, connectivity, and international events.