Governors sign letter in support of Supreme Court

Governors meet during the pandemic. Photo: Govesp

Thirteen of Brazil’s 27 governors have signed a joint letter pledging their support to the Supreme Court, as President Jair Bolsonaro intensifies attacks on some of its justices.

During the weekend, Mr. Bolsonaro tweeted that he planned to ask the Senate to impeach two court members who have been a thorn in his side. Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, who presides over the electoral justice body, has positioned himself in opposition to Mr. Bolsonaro’s attacks on the country’s voting system, while Justice Alexandre de Moraes is presiding over multiple investigations that could embarrass the government.

“We will do anything to preserve the dignity and integrity of the Judiciary. We renew calls for serenity and peace,” the governors wrote.

Recent history, however, shows that statements of outrage do very little, if anything at all, to stop Mr. Bolsonaro’s threats against democracy.

Janaína Camelo

Janaína Camelo has been a political reporter for ten years, working for multiple media outlets. More recently, she worked for the presidency's press service and is now specializing in data journalism.