Senate Resistance Grows: Flávio Bolsonaro Claims 35 Votes to Block Lula’s Controversial STF Pick Jorge Messias
By Hotspotnews
In a significant pushback against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s latest attempt to reshape Brazil’s highest court, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has declared he holds 35 secure votes in the Senate to derail the nomination of Jorge Messias to the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF). This development, reported amid ongoing political tensions, signals a potential delay or outright rejection of the nominee, pushing any vote past the critical 2026 elections and preserving a measure of balance on the bench.
Messias, currently serving as Attorney General of the Union (AGU), carries deep ties to the Workers’ Party (PT) machine. He rose through government ranks during the Dilma Rousseff administration, where he acted as subchief for legal affairs in the Casa Civil. His name first burst into public view in 2016 during the height of Operation Car Wash, when he was referenced—famously misheard as “Bessias”—in a recorded phone call between Rousseff and Lula. The conversation involved sending Lula a term of office document for potential use amid investigations, a moment many conservatives viewed as emblematic of PT efforts to shield allies from accountability. Critics argue this episode underscores Messias’ role as a loyal operative rather than an impartial jurist.
Lula formally sent Messias’ nomination to the Senate on April 1, 2026, months after announcing it in late 2025 to fill the vacancy left by retiring Justice Luís Roberto Barroso. The move requires a sabatina in the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) followed by at least 41 votes in the full Senate. Yet opposition forces, including the PL party, have repeatedly signaled unified resistance, viewing the pick as another step toward entrenching activist judging that has plagued the STF for years.
Flávio Bolsonaro, gaining momentum as a pre-candidate for higher office, has been vocal. He affirms these 35 votes represent a solid bloc ready to stall the process, prioritizing institutional integrity over rushed partisan appointments. Supporters in the Senate and across conservative circles echo this stance with the rallying cry “#MessiasNão,” highlighting concerns that Messias lacks the “notable legal knowledge and unblemished reputation” demanded by the Constitution for STF ministers. Instead, they see him as an extension of PT influence—a “messenger boy” for past administrations accused of weaponizing institutions against political opponents, including arbitrary arrests and overreach during turbulent periods.
This resistance reflects broader frustrations with the STF’s trajectory. Under recent compositions, the court has faced accusations of judicial activism, selective enforcement, and erosion of separation of powers—issues that fueled public distrust and bolstered conservative calls for reform. Appointing another figure aligned with Lula’s inner circle risks tilting the balance further, potentially enabling decisions that undermine free speech, economic freedoms, and democratic checks long after the current government departs.
By leveraging Senate rules and timing, the opposition aims to force a postponement until after the elections. A new administration, potentially more aligned with conservative values of limited government, originalist interpretation of the law, and protection of individual rights, could then address the vacancy with a nominee committed to impartiality rather than ideology.
Brazil’s conservatives have long warned that unchecked PT influence in key institutions threatens the rule of law. Flávio Bolsonaro’s stand, backed by a growing coalition of senators wary of repeating past mistakes, offers a rare opportunity to halt this pattern. Whether the 35 votes hold against last-minute horse-trading remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the Senate must prioritize Brazil’s future over partisan loyalty. The fight for a truly independent judiciary continues, and blocking Messias would be a vital defense of that principle.