Nearly six in ten Brazilians (59%) were unaware that the Senate rejected Jorge Messias's nomination to the Supreme Court, according to a Datafolha poll released Monday. The attorney general was blocked by 42 votes against 34 on April 29 — the first rejection of a presidential Supreme Court nominee since 1894. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"59% das pessoas não souberam que o advogado-geral da União foi recusado para a vaga na Corte pelo Senado Federal, no dia 29 de abril"
"Por 42 contrários a 34 votos a favor, o Plenário rejeitou nesta quarta-feira (29) a indicação de Jorge Rodrigo Araújo Messias para ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal"
Among the 41% who knew about the decision, only 19% said they were well-informed about the case, according to the survey of 2,004 people in 139 municipalities on May 12-13. Lack of awareness was higher among Lula voters (61%) than Bolsonaro voters (50%), and reached 72% among those planning to vote blank or null. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Dentre os 41% que disseram ter tomado conhecimento, 19% afirmaram estar bem informados, 18% mais ou menos, e 4% mal informados"
"Entre eleitores que pretendem votar em branco, nulo ou em nenhum candidato, a taxa chegou a 72%"
Of respondents who knew about the rejection, 53% believe the episode weakened the government, while 7% said it emerged strengthened. To be approved, Messias needed at least 41 votes from 81 senators — the absolute majority required by the Constitution for Supreme Court nominations. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Entre os entrevistados que souberam do episódio, 53% disseram que a derrota deixou o governo mais fraco, enquanto 7% avaliaram que ele saiu mais forte"
"A aprovação da indicação (MSF 7/2026) dependia do voto favorável de pelo menos 41 senadores"
The last time the Senate rejected presidential Supreme Court nominees was in 1894, during Marshal Floriano Peixoto's government, when five names were blocked. The most emblematic case was Cândido Barata Ribeiro, a surgeon without legal training who served as a justice for ten months before rejection. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Em 128 anos, só cinco indicados pelo presidente para ocupar vaga de ministro do STF foram barrados pelos parlamentares, de acordo com o Senado. E todas as rejeições ocorreram em 1894, no governo do marechal Floriano Peixoto"
"O caso mais emblemático é o de Cândido Barata Ribeiro, médico-cirurgião e professor de Medicina no Rio. [...] chegou a atuar como ministro do STF (naquela época, o escolhido podia começar os trabalhos antes dos senadores votarem a indicação) e foi reprovado depois de dez meses de trabalho"
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What will be Lula's next nomination for the Supreme Court vacancy?
Why it's still unknown: The president has not announced whether he will renominate Messias or choose a new name
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How does public knowledge compare for other historic Senate decisions?
Why it's still unknown: No data from previous polls on public awareness of Senate confirmations or rejections
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What was the party breakdown of the 42 votes against Messias?
Why it's still unknown: The vote was secret, preventing individual vote identification