Brazil’s Senate has rejected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s nominee to the Supreme Court, marking a rare political setback and the first such rejection of a top court pick in over a century.
Lawmakers voted 42-34 against the nomination of Jorge Messias, falling short of the 41 votes required for confirmation in the 81-member chamber. The decision underscores growing political friction between the executive and legislative branches in Latin America’s largest economy.
Messias, 46, currently serves as Brazil’s solicitor general and has spent nearly two decades within the institution. He has led the office since the start of Lula’s current term in 2023 and was seen as a close ally of the president.
However, the nomination faced resistance from the outset. Opposition from key political figures, including Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, played a significant role in shaping the outcome. Alcolumbre had advocated for an alternative candidate to fill the Supreme Court vacancy.
The seat became available following the early departure of Luis Roberto Barroso, who stepped down well before the mandatory retirement age, adding to the political sensitivity surrounding the appointment.
Despite an intensive lobbying campaign by the government in recent months, the nomination failed to gain sufficient support, highlighting divisions within Congress and signaling limits to Lula’s political leverage.
The rejection is historically significant, as Brazilian presidents have traditionally secured Senate approval for Supreme Court nominees. The outcome could complicate Lula’s broader legislative agenda and reshape negotiations between the government and lawmakers going forward.
