Federal Police Director-General Andrei Rodrigues, left, applauds with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, right, and Justice Minister Wellington Cesar during Independence Day celebrations in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Chief-Justice of Brazil’s Supreme Court Edson Fachin weighed in on the dispute between two rival judges and suspended their opposing decisions on Wednesday, effectively canceling them out, as he sought to shield the country’s highest court from further damage.
The rift between Supreme Court judges perceived as occupying opposing ends of Brazil’s political spectrum is emerging as a major issue ahead of next month’s presidential election, in which President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva could face off against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in the second round.
But the power struggle inside the Supreme Court has also caused damage to the institution itself, with critics lambasting the chaos shaking the institution to its core.
“It is a serious situation when decisions by ministers are being challenged by their peers,” said Fachin in a court document. “It is necessary to prevent a situation of procedural conflicts and overlaps that, in themselves, constitute a threat to public order and to the integrity of this court,” he added.
