Brazil’s Supreme Court Crisis Deepens as Internal Feud Forces Sessions to Be Cancelled

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has cancelled its plenary session for a second consecutive day as an escalating dispute between justices deepens a wider political crisis ahead of the country’s October presidential election.

Chief Justice Edson Fachin postponed proceedings until next Tuesday as the court prepares to consider whether Justice Alexandre de Moraes should face an investigation over alleged links to Daniel Vorcaro, the former head of the failed Banco Master. Vorcaro is at the centre of a major fraud investigation, and the allegations involving Moraes have raised questions over potential conflicts of interest.

The dispute has also pitted Moraes against Justice André Mendonça, a Bolsonaro appointee. Mendonça has raised concerns over intelligence reports connected to the Banco Master investigation, while Moraes has accused him of procedural abuses and called for an investigation into his conduct. The increasingly public confrontation has exposed unusually sharp divisions within Brazil’s highest court.

The tensions escalated earlier this week when Mendonça ordered the suspension of Federal Police chief Andrei Rodrigues and intelligence chief Leandro Almada. Justice Flávio Dino later moved to reverse the decision, arguing there was insufficient evidence and warning that the move could interfere with ongoing investigations. Fachin subsequently suspended the conflicting rulings and restored Rodrigues to his position while seeking to contain the dispute.

The crisis has become increasingly intertwined with Brazil’s political battle. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and a leading figure on the right, have both called for investigations involving Supreme Court justices, although from opposing political positions. Flávio Bolsonaro is emerging as an important figure ahead of the October election, while Lula is seeking another term.

The current tensions also come after years of conflict between Brazil’s political factions and the Supreme Court. The court played a central role in investigating and prosecuting the attempt to overturn the 2022 election results, ultimately sentencing Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison. Bolsonaro remains barred from running for president, while his supporters continue to accuse the judiciary of political overreach.

Lula has meanwhile indicated that Brazil could reconsider the current system under which Supreme Court justices serve until the mandatory retirement age of 75. He recently backed discussions over introducing terms for justices, adding another dimension to the debate about judicial accountability and independence.

With the presidential election approaching, the Supreme Court’s internal conflict is becoming a major political issue. The court is expected to confront several sensitive cases in the coming weeks, making its ability to maintain public confidence and avoid further institutional clashes increasingly important for Brazil’s democratic stability.