A war in justice has already invaded the presidential campaign, before it even officially began. This shows that this year’s election will be fought not only at the polls, but also in the courts.
What is most surprising is that this battle also involves the Judiciary itself, which in theory should be a neutral body, concerned only with ensuring the balance of the dispute.
As has become routine, the Supreme Court became part of the discussion. Right-wing candidates have noticed the wear and tear of the court and have not skimped on ink. In this regard, Romeu Zema, from Novo, has stood out, with heavy attacks against ministers in videos made with artificial intelligence.
Gilmar Mendes, one of those attacked, took the bait and asked that Zema be investigated in the fake news investigation.
Other candidates, such as Flávio Bolsonaro, Ronaldo Caiado, Renan Santos and Aldo Rebelo have also included judicial reform in their government plans. Even the PT, realizing where the wind is blowing, also started to defend changes in the functioning of the court, but without the aggressiveness of its opponents.
In an election that will be marked by artificial intelligence and social media cuts, candidates have resorted to negative campaigning against opponents. And because of this, take action in the Electoral Court.
This week, Lula’s team filed a request for a video of Flavio Bolsonaro to be taken down, because it associated the president with corruption and illicit enrichment.
But the PT has adopted the same strategy to deconstruct the senator, remembering in videos that he is the son of Jair Bolsonaro and that he has a long list of scandals and suspicions on his resume. Former Finance Minister and candidate in São Paulo, he referred to Flavio as “Bolsonarinho”, to try to embed part of his father’s rejection in him.
It’s just the beginning. Let’s remember that officially they are not even candidates, but still pre-candidates. When the campaign begins in earnest, after the July conventions, we can expect a barrage of shooting, beatings and bombs.
And in this context, it is important to pay attention to how the Superior Electoral Court will behave. In recent campaigns, the court adopted a hard line against fake news and aggressive pieces. But now the command will be different, from two ministers appointed by Bolsonaro: Nunes Marques in the presidency and André Mendonça as vice.
There is an expectation that the court may now be more lenient with some behaviors, in the name of freedom of expression.
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