The opposition in the Federal Senate reacted to the decision of Minister Gilmar Mendes, of the STF (Supreme Federal Court), who determined, this Wednesday (3), that only the PGR (Attorney General’s Office) can initiate impeachment proceedings against Court magistrates.
In a note, senator Jorge Seif (PL-SC), said that the Supreme Court cannot “rewrite” the Constitution and criticized what he called the STF’s “shielding”.
“The Supreme Court cannot rewrite the Constitution or limit the competence of the Senate. Shielding ministers against any possibility of accountability violates the separation of Powers and weakens the Republic”, wrote the parliamentarian.
Gilmar Mendes’ decision suspends part of the 1950 law that provided for the prerogative of any Brazilian citizen.
The plenary will focus on the topic in a virtual trial, between the 12th and 19th of December.
In the same injunction, Gilmar also determined that approval of the process by the Federal Senate requires two-thirds of the votes, and no longer a simple majority, as stated in current legislation.
The dean’s injunction also prevents the merits of judicial decisions handed down by STF ministers from being used as an argument for reporting a crime of responsibility.
