STF Suspends Vote on Moraes After Heated Clash and Fight Over Relatoria

Overview

• The plenary session that erupted into sharp exchanges on Tuesday, Sept. 15 was suspended when Minister Flávio Dino asked for a pedido de vista, a move that can delay a decision for up to 90 days.
• The dispute centers on a Polícia Federal report with messages from ex‑banker Daniel Vorcaro to Minister Alexandre de Moraes that prompted petitions to open an investigation into Moraes.
• STF President Edson Fachin assumed relatoria of the 'Caso Master' procedures, triggering efforts by some ministers to redistribute or jointly judge related cases and broad challenges to Fachin’s procedural control.
• Ministers traded direct accusations in court—Moraes accused André Mendonça of using the PF to target him, Mendonça denied wrongdoing, and figures across the bench criticized PF conduct while political campaigns and lawmakers filed removal requests and impeachment rhetoric.
• Legal scholars warn unresolved procedural questions such as whether the court will use a presidente’s tie‑breaking voto de qualidade and whether the matter is administrative or criminal could push final resolution beyond the election and deepen public distrust in the judiciary.