Acts and demonstrations as attorney general show the trend of votes in criminal, labor, digital and tax areas
The president (PT) this Thursday (20.Nov.2025) the attorney general of the Union, Jorge Messias, 45 years old, for the vacancy opened in the STF (Supreme Federal Court) with the advance of Roberto Barroso, 67 years old.
Based on public demonstrations by Messias and the reports of people close to him, read below some of the opinions that the nominee tends to adopt in the STF.
APPLICATION REGULATION
One of the most prominent themes in Messias’ management at AGU (Attorney General of the Union) was the action to remove content considered irregular. The agency sent extrajudicial requests to platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok to remove content classified as disinformation.
Messias defends stricter rules to hold technology companies accountable and regulate the logic of their business models.
“The central issue is not the technology itself, but the business model behind it”he stated, when criticizing Brazil’s relationship with foreign platforms.
CRIMINAL LAW
Lawyers close to him claim that Messias has a guarantor profile, with a tendency to demand rigor in the conduct of investigations and processes. This includes greater attention to procedural defects and nullities, as in the debates about the role of the Federal Court of Curitiba in Lava Jato.
At the same time, Messias worked on topics related to digital crimes, hate speech and attacks on institutions. He was responsible for creating the National Prosecutor’s Office of the Union for the Defense of Democracy, which represents the government in actions on institutional preservation and combating disinformation.
At AGU, it filed requests for an investigation by the PF (Federal Police) into disinformation involving the government and state-owned companies, such as Banco do Brasil and Pix.
ABORTION
Although evangelical, allies claim that Messiah treats abortion as a public health issue. Assess that personal position must be compatible with institutional responsibilities.
LABOR LAW
Under his management, the AGU took a more protective stance towards workers, especially on topics such as pejotization and the powers of the Labor Court.
In debates about app drivers, Messias defends not recognizing employment relationships, but supporting minimum guarantees and benefits for workers.
TAX LAW
Messias began his career at PGFN (Attorney General of the National Treasury). If approved, it must act with a fiscal profile, tending to favor the Union, States and municipalities in tax disputes.
SABATINA NON-SENATE
Messiah will still go through hearings and a vote in the Senate.
Here’s how the analysis works:
- Saturday at CCJ – public hearing with questions about legal trajectory and positions;
- vote in the CCJ – secret decision. If approved by a simple majority, it goes to the plenary;
- Senate plenary – requires at least 41 votes (absolute majority);
- appointment and tenure – if approved, Lula makes the appointment official.
Who is Jorge Messias
Messias, 45 years old, has been minister of AGU since the beginning of Lula’s 3rd term. Graduated in law from UFPE and doctor from UnB, he was:
- deputy head for Legal Affairs of the Presidency in the Dilma Rousseff government;
- secretary of Higher Education Regulation;
- legal consultant for the ministries of Education and Science, Technology and Innovation;
- attorney at the Central Bank and fiscal advisor at BNDES.
He also served in the office of Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) until 2022, when he led the six-fold list suggested to the president to head the AGU.
Messias gained notoriety in 2016, when Lava Jato released a recording between Lula and Dilma in which the then president said she would send “Bessias” with the term of office to the Civil House.
With compulsory retirement at age 75, he will be able to remain in the STF until 2055.
