Minister Gilmar Mendes made public on Thursday a message sent to Supreme Federal Court (STF) President Edson Fachin, in which he accuses his colleague of paralyzing relevant trials through highlight requests and control of the court's agenda. The dean classified Fachin's actions as "filibuster applied to the STF" and stated that "the non-decision of relevant topics is becoming the hallmark" of the current presidency. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Na mensagem, Gilmar afirma que "impressiona o número de processos importantes paralisados" por iniciativa de Fachin e classifica a atuação do presidente da Corte como "o filibuster aplicado ao STF""
According to Supreme Court members heard by InfoMoney, Fachin did not respond to Gilmar's messages. The dean's decision to disclose the content was interpreted within the Court as a deliberate move to publicly expose the friction between ministers and pressure the court's presidency. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Segundo integrantes do Supremo, Fachin não respondeu às mensagens enviadas por Gilmar. A decisão do decano de divulgar o conteúdo foi interpretada dentro da Corte como um movimento deliberado para expor publicamente o desgaste entre ministros"
In the message, Gilmar lists cases he considers blocked by Fachin's decisions, including actions on mineral exploration in indigenous lands, the Ferrogrão project, free justice in Labor Courts, and the INSS "lifetime review." On Thursday, the Ferrogrão and free justice cases were included in next Wednesday's in-person plenary agenda. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Na quinta-feira (14), os processos da Ferrogrão e da gratuidade de justiça foram incluídos na pauta do plenário presencial da próxima quarta-feira (20)"
The episode occurs after Fachin tightened internal rules for distributing petitions in old cases, a change announced after questioning by the Organized Crime CPI about a Gilmar decision that suspended the secrecy breach of Maridt company, linked to Minister Dias Toffoli. STF interlocutors reject the interpretation of deliberate obstruction and point out that Court data shows the plenary judged 98 more cases from February to May 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Dados da Corte também mostram que, de fevereiro a 15 de maio de 2026, o plenário virtual e físico julgou 98 processos a mais, em comparação ao mesmo período em 2025"
Gilmar Mendes made public a message criticizing Fachin for using 'filibuster' in the STF
The conflict occurs in the context of changes to case distribution rules after questions about Maridt company
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
The plenary judged 98 more cases from February to May 2026 compared to 2025
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What are the specific rules in the STF Internal Regiment for agenda control by president versus rapporteur?
Why it's still unknown: The obtained FactCard lists only the relevant articles of the regiment (12-14, 66-77, 143-146) but does not detail the specific competencies for resolving deadlocks over judgment order
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Are there historical precedents of similar conflicts over agenda control between STF ministers?
Why it's still unknown: None of the outlets contextualize whether episodes of 'agenda blocking' have occurred previously in the court
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What is the formal position of other STF ministers on the conflict between Gilmar and Fachin?
Why it's still unknown: Sources report only 'Supreme Court members' heard confidentially, without identifying positions of specific ministers