Judge suspends new Justice Minister nomination

The Federal Court in the Federal District suspended this Friday (Mar. 4) the nomination of new Justice Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva. Judge Solange Salgado accepted the action filed by the opposition party Democratas (DEM). The judge understood that the minister, member of the Public Prosecution Office (MP) of Bahia State, cannot take office.

According to the decision, he can swear in again, but only if he asks for dismissal or retires from the lifelong position in MP. For the judge, Supreme Court (STF) orders confirm this understanding that prosecutors, members of the MP, may only take other offices within their agency.

The Supreme Court also received an action filed by the opposition party PPS against the nomination of the justice minister and it will be judged next Wednesday. On the appeal, the party claims that it is illegal the understanding of the National Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office (CNMP),  that a MP member can obtain a license to take office in the executive branch.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta