Lula Nominates Attorney General Jorge Messias to Brazil's Supreme Court as Confirmation Fight Looms

Overview

• President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva formally sent Jorge Messias’s nomination on November 20 to fill the seat vacated by Luís Roberto Barroso.
• Messias must clear a public hearing in the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee and win secret ballots in committee and on the floor, requiring at least 41 of 81 votes.
• Senate President Davi Alcolumbre signaled displeasure after favoring Rodrigo Pacheco, raising the prospect of delays and tougher math following the narrow reconfirmation of Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet.
• Messias said he received the nomination with honor, pledged fidelity to the Constitution, and will seek to show senators he meets the constitutional requirements for the post.
• Press reports cite allegations that the AGU under Messias knew of union-linked irregularities tied to INSS fraud, prompting talk of possible prevarication that senators may scrutinize in the hearing.