Sao Paulo, April 30, 2026 — Brazil’s Senate on Wednesday rejected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s nominee to the Supreme Court, marking the first time the chamber has turned down a justice pick in more than 130 years. Jorge Messias, 46, who has served as Brazil’s solicitor-general since 2023 and is a close legal adviser to Lula, received 34 votes in favor and 42 against; he needed 41 votes to be confirmed.
Messias was nominated to fill the seat left vacant by Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, who resigned in November, leaving the Supreme Court operating with ten members. Although Messias was approved earlier by a Senate committee, he failed to win the full chamber’s support in a secret ballot. Members of the court publicly campaigned on his behalf, and Messias reportedly sought backing from lawmakers of Evangelical faith.
President Lula, who is seeking reelection in October for a fourth consecutive term, must now select another candidate who will face the same confirmation process. The last Senate rejection of a Supreme Court nominee occurred in 1894 during a dispute between President Floriano Peixoto and lawmakers.
AP
Updated At: 11:39 AM Apr 30, 2026 IST
