Sao Paulo, April 30, 2026 — Brazil’s Senate dealt a political blow to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday by rejecting his Supreme Court nominee, the first such rebuff in more than 130 years.
Only 34 senators voted for Jorge Messias, Brazil’s solicitor-general since 2023 and a close legal adviser to Lula, while 42 opposed him. Messias needed 41 votes to win confirmation.
Lula, who is seeking reelection in October for a fourth consecutive term, had nominated Messias to fill the seat vacated by Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, who resigned in November. The Supreme Court has operated with ten members since Barroso’s departure.
Messias, 46, had been approved by a Senate committee but failed to secure the full chamber’s support in a secret ballot. Members of the court publicly campaigned for him, and he reportedly sought backing from lawmakers of Evangelical faith.
The president must now nominate another candidate, who will face the same confirmation process. The last time the Senate rejected a Supreme Court nominee was in 1894, amid a dispute between President Floriano Peixoto and lawmakers.
AP
Updated At: 11:39 AM Apr 30, 2026 IST
