The governor of Rio Grande do Sul is the head of government of the state's executive branch, assisted by his secretaries, whom he freely chooses.

His powers are listed in the state and federal constitutions, which include the ability to sanction and veto bills passed by the Legislative Assembly, present budget proposals, issue decrees and regulations, and appoint occupants of hundreds of positions.

[13] Of the bills approved by the Legislative Assembly, the governor has the prerogative to enact or veto them, totally or partially, if he judges it "unconstitutional or contrary to the public interest.

[20][21] The governor can "issue decrees and regulations for the faithful execution of the laws," including those that deal with states of emergency, be they financial or caused by natural disasters or climatic events.

In doing so, and if recognized by the federal government, the governor can count on a line of support from the Union, which includes financial resources and the sending of the National Force.

[6][27] After the results are compiled, the Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Sul decides on the diplomation of the person elected, enabling him/her to take office on January 1.

[29] The elective mandate can be challenged before the Electoral Court within fifteen days after the diplomatic nomination, and evidence of economic power abuse, corruption, or fraud must be presented.

The inauguration ceremony is held in the Legislative Assembly, where the governor-elect takes the following oath:I promise to uphold, defend, and fulfill the Constitution, observe the laws, and sponsor the common good of the people of Rio Grande do Sul.

[27] In some states there has been an attempt to include the requirement of authorization from the Legislative Assembly for criminal proceedings to be brought against the governor by the Superior Court of Justice.

Neoclassical in style, it was built to celebrate the Republic, as Júlio de Castilhos wished, with material from France and cement from England, and was partially inaugurated in 1921.

[48][49] The building was constructed on the same site as Piratini, the Marechal Deodoro Square, with adobe, which explains the origin of its name and results, according to historian Sérgio da Costa Franco, in a "colonial large house".

[50][51] At the end of the 19th century, the palace was in a very bad state of conservation;[52][51] it was demolished in 1896 and the Apache Fort, also in the Marechal Deodoro Square, was the seat of government until Piratini was inaugurated.

[57][58][59][56] The governor also has at his disposal the White House, located in the Assis Brasil Exhibition Park, where the Expointer agricultural and livestock fair is held, in Esteio.

[72] The governor has at his disposal a twin-engine Super King Air B200 turboprop, used for longer trips, and four helicopters (two Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil and two AW 119 Koala), which are also used by the state executive for other purposes.

[76][77] The Stutz transported several authorities, including Portuguese President Francisco Craveiro Lopes; it was later rebuilt and continued to be used on commemorative dates such as the Farroupilha Week parades in 2008.

[84][85] Aided by a council of officers, in the early years the commanders had great decision-making power, with functions that included the administration of justice and the budget, land division, dealing with the natives, territorial expansion, and the application of penalties.

[96][97][98] Simultaneously with the elevations of the territory to sub-captaincy (1760) and general-captaincy (1807), the governors' powers were also increased, gaining more autonomy from the central government in Rio de Janeiro.

[99] The governor spent most of his time on military matters, but his authority encompassed tax, judicial and administrative jurisdiction, presiding over the joints of the Royal Treasury and Criminal Justice Board, although his interference in non-military areas was routinely questioned.

[111] According to Pereira, the presidents were the "delegates of the head of the nation" and those who "governed the province of Sul-rio-grandense conquered to a great extent local political and parliamentary importance, allowing them to circulate through various positions, whether elective or not.

[122] In 1845, Duke of Caxias, the provincial president appointed by the emperor, managed to pacify the province and the war came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Poncho Verde.

[124][125] The 1834 Additional Act sought to regulate the relations between the legislative and the executive; the president could return (veto) to the legislature projects that he considered "inconvenient" and "unconstitutional".

If it was classified as unconstitutional, it was submitted to the imperial government and to the General Assembly for deliberation; if inconvenient, the veto could be overturned by a vote of two thirds of the legislators.

[132] Authored by Júlio de Castilhos,[131] it established a legislature with limited powers and a strong executive, which could legislate by decree in non-financial matters and intervene directly in municipalities.

[134] The eligibility criteria included the need to be a native of Rio Grande do Sul, to reside in the state, to be over thirty years old, and not to be "related by blood or marriage in the first two degrees" to the president or the incumbent substitute.

[139][140][137] The Pact of Pedras Altas, signed at the end of that year, prohibited the reelection of the president, forced the holding of an election to choose the vice-president and reserved a number of seats in the Assembly for the opponents.

[145] The 1935 Constitution gave greater importance to the legislative branch and determined that the Executive Power would be exercised by the governor, elected by universal suffrage every four years, who could not be reelected consecutively.

[155] After remaining closed for years, the Legislative Branch, through the Constituent Assembly of 1947, aimed to increase its powers with the implementation of a parliamentary regime in the state.

[161] In 1961 Governor Leonel Brizola created the Legality Campaign (Portuguese: Campanha da Legalidade) to ensure the inauguration of João Goulart as President of the Republic.

[165] In 1964, to avoid a similar movement, Governor Ildo Meneghetti transferred the seat of government to Passo Fundo for three days, from where he supported the successful military coup.

[186] According to political scientist Fernando Schüler, the state's financial situation, which includes chronic fiscal deficit and low investment capacity, was a factor that "weakens the governments before society.