President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signaled to allies that he intends to resubmit Attorney General Jorge Messias's nomination to the Supreme Federal Court to the Senate, despite the unprecedented rejection of his name by the House on April 29. According to Planalto Palace interlocutors heard by Folha de S.Paulo and Globo, Lula believes that choosing Court ministers is a constitutional prerogative of the president and that he does not intend to back down from the 42-34 defeat. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) avisou a aliados nos últimos dias que pretende reenviar ao Senado a indicação de Jorge Messias para a vaga aberta no Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), mesmo após a rejeição inédita sofrida pelo advogado-geral da União na Casa"
"o plenário do Senado rejeitou a indicação em 29 de abril por 42 votos contrários e 34 favoráveis"
The expectation in presidential circles is that the new nomination will be formalized before the October elections. Lula reportedly told allies that he considers the Senate defeat not as something personally directed at Messias, but at the federal government itself, according to Brasil 247 portal. The president believes there was no technical justification to block the nomination. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A expectativa no entorno do Planalto é de que a nova indicação seja formalizada antes das eleições de outubro"
"Lula também tem afirmado que a derrota no Senado não foi direcionada pessoalmente ao advogado-geral da União, mas ao próprio governo federal"
The turning point in Lula's decision occurred during Minister Nunes Marques's inauguration as president of the Superior Electoral Court last Tuesday. Jorge Messias received prolonged applause from the audience during the ceremony, in a gesture interpreted by government members as public demonstration of support after the Senate rejection. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, who was present at the main table, did not participate in the applause directed at the attorney general. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O ponto de virada, segundo integrantes do Palácio do Planalto, foi a cerimônia de posse do ministro Nunes Marques na presidência do Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE), na última terça-feira. O advogado-geral da União foi aplaudido fortemente na solenidade"
"Alcolumbre foi o único integrante da mesa a não aplaudir o advogado-geral da União"
Government members attribute April's defeat to Alcolumbre's articulation, who allegedly worked actively against Messias behind the scenes. The rejection marked the first time in 132 years that the Senate rejected a Supreme Court nomination. Messias went on vacation on May 13 and is expected to return on May 25, after initially signaling he was considering leaving the government. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"Integrantes do governo atribuem a derrota a uma articulação liderada pelo presidente da Casa, Davi Alcolumbre"
"A votação marcou a primeira rejeição de um nome para o Supremo em 132 anos"
"Ele entrou em férias na última quarta-feira e só deve voltar ao trabalho no dia 26 de maio"
Messias's rejection on April 29 was the first of a Supreme Court nomination in 132 years
Government members attribute the defeat to Davi Alcolumbre's articulation against Messias
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Messias considered leaving government after rejection, but Lula advised him not to make hasty decisions
There is pressure within PT and allies for Lula to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court
Conflicting versions (1)
Timing of new nomination - before or after elections
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What was the exact vote breakdown by party caucus and by state/region in the first rejection?
Why it's still unknown: Consulted sources mention only the general result (42 to 34) without detailing how each caucus and region voted
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What specific changes in the political scenario does Lula expect for a second vote to have a different result?
Why it's still unknown: Reports indicate Lula wants to resubmit the name before elections, but don't specify what changes in the balance of forces he anticipates
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Are there ongoing conversations between Planalto and specific senators to enable a new vote?
Why it's still unknown: Articles mention that Lula intends to 'act personally in negotiations' but don't identify interlocutors or concrete strategies