São Paulo's executive branch is headed by the governor. Since 1965, it has been based in the Bandeirantes Palace, built in the 1950s in Morumbi. The governor and vice-governor are elected by universal suffrage and direct and secret ballot by the population for 4-year terms, with the possibility of re-election for another consecutive term. Eligibility requirements for both positions are Brazilian nationality, exercise of political rights, electoral domicile in the state, party membership and a minimum age of 30. The state elections are held simultaneously with the federal elections.[1][3][4][2]
The current governor is Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas. As the highest representative of the executive branch, he is responsible for sanctioning and vetoing laws passed by the legislature, organizing and running the administration, issuing decrees and acting as commander-in-chief of the Military Police, Civil Police and Military Fire Brigade. The vice-governor is the second highest position in the executive branch and can replace the governor when he is unable to perform his duties. According to the State Constitution, he will assist the governor whenever he is summoned by him for special missions. The position is currently held by Felicio Ramuth.[1][5]
The governor is assisted by the secretaries in the administration of the state. They are appointed and dismissed as the governor decides, but appointments must meet three requirements: the exercise of political rights, Brazilian nationality and a minimum age of 21. There is no minimum or maximum number of secretaries; the current system consists of 24 departments.[2][6]
Direct administration
Cabinet
It is currently composed of 24 secretariats and a special department:
The cabinet also includes the Military House (Casa Militar), which is responsible for civil defense and the security of the seat of government and the governor himself.[7]
Foundation for Conservation and Forestry Production of the State of São Paulo - Forestry Foundation (Fundação para a Conservação e a Produção Florestal do Estado de São Paulo- Fundação Florestal);[73]
São Paulo State Land Institute (Instituto de Terras do Estado de São Paulo - ITESP);[74]
The legislature is unicameral and exercised by the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo, formed by 94 state deputies and based at the 9 de Julho Palace. ALESP drafts and votes on bills and supervises the actions of the executive through the Court of Accounts of São Paulo (Tribunal de Contas do Estado de São Paulo - TCE/SP), an external control agency. The legislative is also responsible for deciding on the budget, the creation and extinction of public offices, as well as setting their salaries and benefits, and for judging the governor in impeachment proceedings.[85][86][1]
State deputies are elected using the proportional representation system simultaneously with the state and federal elections. The terms of office are 4 years and there are no re-election limits. The eligibility criteria are the same as for governor and vice-governor, except for the minimum age of 21. The inauguration of elected representatives takes place on March 15.[1][87][88]
Board of directors
State deputies elect the board of directors of the Legislative Assembly. Voting is open and terms of office are two years, with members not being able to hold the same positions on successive boards in the same legislature. It is composed of three deputies (president, first and second secretaries) and six substitutes. The current board of directors chosen in March 2023 is formed by:[89][90][91]
The judiciary interprets and applies the law. It has a hierarchical structure headed by the Court of Justice of São Paulo. Decisions can be appealed to the Superior Court of Justice (Superior Tribunal de Justiça - STJ) and the Supreme Federal Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal - STF). The first instance comprises 2,600 judges in 319 comarcas and the second has 360 judges. The court is led by a president, elected by the judges for two-year terms; Fernando Antonio Torres Garcia is the incumbent president.[92][93][94][1][2]
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