Justice Cármen Lúcia voted for the unconstitutionality of portions of Complementary Law 219/2025, which relaxed rules of the Clean Record Act, during a virtual plenary session at the STF that began this Friday (22) and ends on May 29. As rapporteur of ADI 7881, Cármen Lúcia was the first to speak about the changes approved by Congress and signed by President Lula in 2025. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) iniciou, às 11h desta sexta-feira (22), a sessão do Plenário Virtual que se encerra em 29/5, às 23h59. Entre os temas em destaque estão ações que tratam de alterações na Lei da Ficha Limpa"
In her vote, the justice stated that "the changes made by Complementary Law 219/2025 relate to initial terms and counting of deadlines for ineligibility purposes and establish a scenario of clear setback to what had been established as an instrument to guarantee republican principles, administrative probity and public morality." The law changed how ineligibility periods are counted, now starting from conviction rather than after serving the sentence. ✓
Press quotes (1)
""As alterações levadas a efeito pela Lei Complementar n. 219/2025 relacionam-se aos termos iniciais e à contagem de prazo para fins de inelegibilidade e estabelecem cenário de patente retrocesso ao que se tinha estabelecido como instrumento de garantia dos princípios republicanos, da probidade administrativa e da moralidade pública", escreveu a relatora."
The new legislation also established a maximum limit of 12 years for ineligibility cases involving administrative misconduct combined with new convictions. For Cármen Lúcia, according to Congresso em Foco, this rule creates a kind of "safe conduct" for future irregularities. The other justices have until May 29 to present their votes in the virtual plenary. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Outro ponto questionado trata da limitação máxima de 12 anos para casos de inelegibilidade por improbidade administrativa acumulada com novas condenações. Para Cármen Lúcia, a regra cria uma espécie de "salvo-conduto" para futuras irregularidades"
The STF's decision could affect candidacies such as those of former governor Anthony Garotinho, former congressman Eduardo Cunha, and former governor José Roberto Arruda, according to Jornal do Brasil. The political class awaits the result for the October 2026 elections. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A decisão do Supremo pode frustrar candidaturas como as do ex-governador do Rio de Janeiro Anthony Garotinho, do ex-deputado federal Eduardo Cunha e do ex-governador do Distrito Federal José Roberto Arruda."
Cármen Lúcia voted for the unconstitutionality of Clean Record Act flexibilization
The trial occurs in STF's virtual plenary between May 22 and 29, 2026
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
The law was signed by President Lula 'last year'
Specific mention of 'safe conduct' for future irregularities
Conflicting versions (1)
Trial start date
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What is the specific position of other justices on the Clean Record Act flexibilization?
Why it's still unknown: The trial is ongoing in virtual plenary until May 29, and only rapporteur Cármen Lúcia's vote has been disclosed so far.
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What was the doctrinal context and specific precedents cited by Cármen Lúcia in her vote?
Why it's still unknown: Sources cite only general excerpts from the justice's vote, without detailing the precedents and complete legal reasoning.
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What are the positions of AGU and PGR on the law's constitutionality?
Why it's still unknown: No source reports the official positions of the Attorney General's Office or Federal Prosecutor's Office in the process.
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How many cases or politicians would be concretely affected by the decision?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention only three specific cases (Garotinho, Cunha, Arruda) without quantifying the general impact of the decision.