The most popular name for the vacancy of Luís Roberto Barroso, who anticipated his retirement, is that of the current attorney general of the Union, Jorge Messias
The president faces a decisive moment upon returning from his trip to Asia: the appointment of a new minister to the Federal Supreme Court (), following the departure of . The most popular name for the vacancy is that of the current attorney general of the Union, . However, Messias’ choice has generated debates in the Senate, where some senators, close to the president of Congress, defend the senator’s name as a consensus option for the court. Behind the scenes, Messias’ appointment is seen as a way to strengthen the Executive’s dialogue with the STF, while Pacheco is considered a name that dialogues well with the Legislature.
Lula has already met with Alcolumbre, on the same day that the government released the license for oil exploration on the equatorial margin, a point of direct interest for the president of Congress. Despite this, Lula has signaled his preference for Messiah. The president of the Senate Constitution and Justice Committee, Otto Alencar, stated that the decision is exclusive to Lula, but indicated that the hearing should not take long after the name is made official.
On the conservative wing, there are efforts to reduce resistance to Messiah’s nomination. The STF minister, André Mendonça, who shares the same evangelical faith as Messiah, met with religious leaders to garner support among opposition senators. Messias has also sought support, including contacting former minister Damares Alves. Meanwhile, right-wing governors hope that Lula will contradict Alcolumbre, which could complicate votes of interest to the government in the Senate. Lula’s allies believe that the president could be an important electoral campaigner for candidates supported by Alcolumbre in Amapá.
Rodrigo Pacheco, in turn, has already declared that he cannot refuse an invitation to the STF, but recently stated that he will soon decide on his candidacy for the government of Minas Gerais, a strategic state for the presidential elections.
With information from Rany Veloso
*Report produced with the help of AI
