To the WWjournalist and STF researcher Felipe Recondo assessed that Gilmar Mendes occupies an “empty space” as spokesperson at the Federal Supreme Court (STF), granting interviews, participating in round tables and making comments on the procedural conduct of other members of the Court.
According to Recondo, this phenomenon arises, in part, from the absence of a more active stance by Edson Fachin in the court’s institutional communication.
Fachin should occupy this space, says expert
For Recondo, Fachin should take more of a leading role in STF communication.
“I imagine that the person who should have been at that Roda Viva yesterday was Minister Fachin, speaking for the Court”, stated the researcher. According to him, by not marking this position, Fachin opens the way for Gilmar Mendes to occupy the space.
“In power, as there is no vacuum, someone will occupy this space, and minister Gilmar Mendes does this very well,” said Recondo.
Recondo also pointed out a second motivation for Gilmar Mendes’ public actions: the new balance of forces within the Second Panel of the STF.
According to the researcher, he has been gaining relevance, especially because he is the rapporteur of high-profile cases, such as the INSS and Banco Master cases.
“This is merely cyclical”, pondered Recondo, adding that the STF tends to equalize power among its members over time.
Rift between Gilmar and Fachin and perspective of the code of conduct
The expert also commented on the recent fight between André Mendonça, and on the criticism that Gilmar directed at Fachin.
Recondo highlighted, however, that during the Roda Viva program, Gilmar rejected adjectives about his relationship with Fachin and even stated that he is his friend. For the researcher, this behavior signals a new moment in the relationship between the two.
Recondo also bet that one for the Court should be approved in the future. “Maybe smaller than we would like, but something must be approved,” he concluded.
