State governors release note in defense of top court justices

Governors of 13 Brazilian states and the Federal District on Sunday (Aug. 16) released a note in defense of the country’s Supreme Court (STF).

The leaders expressed solidarity with “the justices of the Supreme Court and their family members, as they are faced with constant threats and attacks.” “At state level, we will do everything to preserve the dignity and the integrity of the Judiciary branch. We have renewed our call for serenity and peace, of which our nation is in so dire need,” the governors state in the manifesto.

In another passage, governors mention that “the democratic rule of law only exists with an independent judiciary, free to make decisions in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.”

The manifesto was made public after a message was published on Twitter by President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday (14). Bolsonaro said he plans to lodge impeachment requests targeting justices Luis Roberto Barroso and Alexandre de Moraes this week.

Response

Bolsonaro’s request comes after a ruling by STF Justice Alexandre de Moraes to accept the criminal referral submitted to the court by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). In the decision, Moraes stipulated the prompt opening of a probe into the president’s conduct during the live broadcast aired on social media in the first week of August. In it, videos were displayed where voters were seen going to the previous polls and showing alleged signs of fraud in the use of the voting machine.

The criminal referral was sent after TSE head Luís Roberto Barroso restated that no instance of fraud has been identified in the voting system since the voting machines were implemented.

The investigation requested by the Supreme Court Justice will be considered alongside the inquiry on the publication of untrue information and attacks on the Supreme Court, whose rapporteur is also Alexandre de Moraes.