The two Supreme Ministers participated in the same event in Rio de Janeiro: the Lide Forum, but spoke at different times
In an event held this Friday (22) in Rio de Janeiro, the Ministers of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and presented divergent views on the role of the judiciary in democracy. In the morning, Mendonça criticized what he called judicial activism, defined as decisions of judges that go beyond the legislation and can override the other powers. According to him, the judiciary should not create laws or anticipate the decisions of the legislature and the executive.
“The judiciary cannot be the factor of creation and legislative innovation. The rule of law imposes self -restart, which is opposed to judicial activism. This type of action weakens the other powers and creates the impression of a judicial rule of law,” said Mendonça. The minister also pointed out that respect for judges “must come from confidence rather than fear”, and that judicial decisions “must generate social peace, not chaos or insecurity.”
In the late afternoon, Moraes defended the independence of the judiciary and the central role of justice in the maintenance of democracy. He stated that external and internal attacks on the judiciary cannot weaken his performance and criticized the posture of judges who give in to the pressures. “A vassal, cowardly judiciary, who wants to make agreements to avoid momentary turbulence, is not an independent judiciary. The judiciary in Brazil is independent, and that is precisely what guarantees respect, free elections and free press,” said Moraes.
The minister stressed that attacks on democracy occur when freedom of expression is confused with “freedom of aggression” and defended the protection of the press, elections and justice as pillars of the Democratic Rule of Law.
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
