Brazil Senate blocks Supreme Court nominee for first time in 130 years

May 01, 2026

World
Brazil Senate blocks Supreme Court nominee for first time in 130 years

Rio De Janeiro [Brazil], May 1: Brazil's Senate has rejected a Supreme Court nominee for the first time in more than 130 years, dealing a setback to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Senators voted 42 to 34, with one abstention, against confirming Attorney General Jorge Messias, news outlet G1 reported on Wednesday.
It marks the first such rejection since 1894, when the Senate blocked several nominees under then-president Floriano Peixoto. The secret ballot makes it unclear which political factions opposed the nominee, but the outcome highlights the fragmented nature of the Senate, where Lula's government lacks a stable majority. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune