In a significant move, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced the nomination of Jorge Messias to the country’s Supreme Court on Thursday. Messias, currently serving as Brazil’s Solicitor General, is Lula’s third appointment to the highest judicial body during his current term. The nomination now awaits Senate approval, and if confirmed, Messias will fill the vacancy left by former Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, who retired in October, eight years before his mandatory retirement age. President Lula expressed confidence in Messias’ ability to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, stating on Instagram, ‘I make this recommendation confident that Messias will continue fulfilling his role in defending the Constitution and the rule of law in the Supreme Court, as he has done throughout his public life.’ Messias, 45, has a robust background in various federal government roles and is widely regarded as a staunch ally of Lula and former President Dilma Rousseff, who succeeded Lula in 2011 but was impeached in 2016. Justice André Mendonça, appointed by former President Jair Bolsonaro in 2021, also endorsed Messias’ nomination, praising his qualifications and expressing support for a ‘republican dialogue’ with senators. This appointment comes at a critical juncture for Brazil’s Supreme Court, which has faced immense pressure since 2023, particularly after Bolsonaro supporters stormed its building in Brasília on January 8. Bolsonaro, a far-right leader, was subsequently investigated and sentenced to over 27 years in prison for his involvement in a coup attempt, which included the violent attack on the court. Messias’ nomination underscores the ongoing political and judicial tensions in Brazil as the country navigates its complex democratic landscape.
Brazilian president appoints ally Jorge Messias to country’s Supreme Court
