“Serving God with joy!” That’s what one might hear echoing from within the Assembléia. It stands as a testament to Rio de Janeiro’s dynamic history. The Assembléia began its journey in 1834. This followed the “Ato Adicional” to the imperial constitution. The act led to the creation of the Municipio Neutro. This area is now encompassed by Rio de Janeiro. The city was then separated from the province.
The capital of that province was established in Vila Real de Praia Grande. Today this is known as Niterói. Here the Assembleia Legislativa of the Province of Rio de Janeiro was founded. It was responsible for representing the desires of the Fluminense people. Until the 1920s its headquarters were next to the Municipal Palace of Niterói. This was in the São João Garden in downtown Niterói. Niterói was the capital at that time. Later its own headquarters were created in the Republic Square of Niterói.
The Assembléia has a rich history of political change. After the end of the empire many of its members supported the republican cause. They were jokingly called “republicans of May 14”. This shift was due to the discontent of Fluminense coffee growers. They felt betrayed by the imperial government after the emancipation of slaves. This occurred on May 13 1888.
The first republican elections took place on March 20 1891. These elections were for deputies and senators. This was in accordance with the bicameral congress. It was foreseen in the constitution of October 19 1890. The president of Fluminense Francisco Portela had promulgated it. He had been appointed to the position. The president of the Republic Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca did the appointing.
The Fluminense Legislative Power would briefly be bicameral. This was in accordance with article 7 of that state constitution. It was exercised by the “general assembly.” This comprised the chambers of deputies and senators. The first state constituent congress was installed on May 10 1891. This congress had to analyze that provisional constitution. They had to hold the election of the state president and vice president. Portela was maintained in office. Artur Getúlio das Neves was elected his vice.
In August of that year the works began. The constituents decided to separate the members of the congress. They installed the state senate and the chamber. With the political instability that was installed in the government of Deodoro da Fonseca he resigned. Marshal Floriano Peixoto assumed the presidency of the Republic. He appointed Rear Admiral Carlos Balthazar da Silveira to the Fluminense presidency. The congress dissolved the state on December 14. He convened elections for a new constituent assembly on January 31 1892. This resulted in a new Magna Carta. It was promulgated on April 9 of that year. This new constitution restored the existence of a unicameral legislature. The Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro was installed.
Throughout republican history political disputes took place. They disturbed the development of the “old province.” They also disturbed the recovery from the economic crisis. This crisis had taken hold since abolition. It was common in periods of greater disarray to have dual assemblies. Each supported a different politician for the exercise of state government. Elections were frequently marked by accusations of favoritism and fraud.
The current ALERJ is the result of the merger. It occurred on March 15 1975. It was between the Legislative Assembly of the State of Guanabara. It also included the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro. This followed the enactment of Complementary Law number 20. Its headquarters became the Tiradentes Palace. This is located on Rua da Assembleia in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Previously the ALEG operated there. Until 1960 the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil was there. In the 1970s the annex to the Tiradentes Palace was created. It was called the “July 23 Palace”. The offices of parliamentarians were located there.
In 2021, Alerj moved its headquarters. It went from the Tiradentes Palace to the Lúcio Costa Building. This was the headquarters of BANERJ. The new plenary of the Assembly was officially inaugurated on August 3. It had been under renovation for six years. The renovation allowed the site to house the offices of state deputies. It also housed the administrative areas of the House. Today the Assembléia continues to play a vital role. It shapes the political landscape of Rio de Janeiro.