Overview

• Aides expect President Lula to choose the nominee after returning from Rome and conferring with retiring Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, with the decision process beginning this week.
• Jorge Messias is widely cited by presidential allies as the leading option, drawing backing from PT figures and the Prerrogativas group and receiving favorable signals from evangelical leaders.
• Other names under consideration include former Senate president Rodrigo Pacheco and TCU minister Bruno Dantas, with Senate interlocutors noting Pacheco’s strong rapport in the chamber.
• Barroso has released most pending votes but will leave 912 cases to his successor, including a still-pending view on ICMS Difal timing and sensitive matters such as abortion-related cases.
• Government leader José Guimarães said Lula tasked Minister Gleisi Hoffmann with overhauling politically appointed posts at Caixa, signaling a broader shake-up of Centrão-backed positions after the IOF MP defeat.