Group of left-wing lawyers says it will support any nomination by President Lula, but maintains support for the head of the AGU
President’s ally (PT), the group of lawyers Prerogativas defends the appointment of the minister of the AGU (Attorney General of the Union) Jorge Messias to take over the vacancy of minister Luís Roberto Barroso in the STF (Supreme Federal Court). Lawyer Marco Aurélio de Carvalho, coordinator of the group, told the Poder360 that Messias demonstrated that he had a personal and trusting relationship with the president.
According to Carvalho, the group will support whatever the indication made by Lula, but believes that the current attorney general of the Union has demonstrated “maturity” e “baggage” to take over the position. “Once the constitutional requirements of an unblemished reputation and notable legal knowledge are present, trust becomes a determining criterion”he stated.
Prerogativas is a group that brings together politicians, such as the Minister of Finance, (PT), and lawyers Alberto Toron, Antônio Carlos de Almeida Castro, known as Kakay, and Gabriela Prioli. Jorge Messias is also a collaborator of the group.
Marco Aurélio de Carvalho considers that it is “unfair” say that Lula has not considered gender diversity in his nominations. For him, the president has given a “indisputable collaboration” with the appointment of ministers Daniela Teixeira and Marluce Caldas to the STJ (Superior Court of Justice), Verônica Sterman to the STM (Superior Military Court) and Estella Aranhas, Edilene Lôbo and Vera Lúcia Santana Araújo to the TSE (Superior Electoral Court).
“It’s unfair to demand anything from the president in this sense, because now the most important thing is not the race and gender issue. We have a huge challenge, which is to color the justice system a little more. That’s a fact. But President Lula has given undeniable collaboration”he declared.
According to Carvalho, Lula “He doesn’t want a minister to call his own, but someone he can trust, someone who demonstrates public spirit, who doesn’t give in to pressure and who acts in accordance with what the Constitution determines.”characteristics that, according to him, are present in Messiah.
If nominated, Jorge Messias will take over the open position of minister Luís Roberto Barroso, who retires early from this Friday (Oct 17). The coordinator of Prerogativas considers that, even though he is considered young for the position, Jorge Messias, 45 years old, does not differ from other ministers when appointed: Dias Toffoli took over at 41 years old; Gilmar Mendes, at 46; André Mendonça and Cristiano Zanin, at 48.
Carvalho said that other names considered, such as TCU minister Bruno Dantas and senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), also have qualities for the position, but he assessed that this is not the right time to nominate them to the Supreme Court.
“Bruno Dantas is a great jurist and is extremely prepared, but I believe he still has a career at TCU, and I think he will serve the country at another time, perhaps as a Supreme Court minister”he stated.
In relation to Senator Pacheco, Marco Aurélio considers that the 2026 electoral process is a factor that should be considered by President Lula. According to him, Pacheco will be a “strong candidate” for the government of Minas Gerais. “So I think it would be a waste, at this moment, to take him out of the electoral race and put him in the Supreme Court”he declared.
Barroso’s departure marks another chapter of Lula’s influence on the composition of the Supreme Court. Here are Lula’s appointments to the STF, by mandate:
1st term (2003-2006): 2003: Joaquim Barbosa; 2003: Cezar Peluso; 2003: Ayres Britto; 2004: Eros Grau; 2006: Ricardo Lewandowski; 2006: Carmen Lúcia.
2nd term (2007-2010): 2007: Menezes Direito; 2009: Dias Toffoli.
3rd term (2023-2026): 2023: Cristiano Zanin; 2023: Flávio Dino; 2025: Barroso’s successor.
