Overview

• In an emotional plenary address, Luís Roberto Barroso confirmed an accelerated retirement and said he will briefly remain to return or finalize votes in high-impact cases, including ICMS Difal, state debt disputes tied to Cedae and CEAL, and the suspended abortion decriminalization action.
• The Planalto expects a quick decision after Lula returns from Italy next week and plans to seek backing from Senate president Davi Alcolumbre for confirmation, which requires at least 41 votes in the chamber.
• Government interlocutors list AGU minister Jorge Messias as the early favorite, with Senate ally Rodrigo Pacheco and TCU minister Bruno Dantas also under consideration, according to reporting on internal consultations.
• Separately, Alexandre de Moraes removed the private lawyers for Filipe Martins and Marcelo Câmara in the Núcleo 2 case for alleged abuse of defense and appointed the federal public defender’s office, a move the attorneys dispute.
• The court vacancy unfolds as the government absorbs a congressional defeat on an MP linked to IOF alternatives that officials estimate will leave a fiscal gap of roughly R$40–46.5 billion, with Lula criticizing what he called an industry of distrust over public accounts.