The challenges for Brazil’s new Chief Justice

Since the moment he entered the bench back in 1983, Luiz Fux dreamed of the day when he would become one of the 11 members of the Supreme Court. After almost a decade of intense behind-the-scenes lobbying (asking for support from both landless workers leaders and wealthy businessmen), he finally fulfilled his dream in 2011. And now, at 67, Justice Fux has reached the pinnacle of his career, beginning his two-year term as the court’s Chief Justice.

And the stakes are higher than ever. 

Brazil faces what is arguably the biggest crisis since its return to democracy in 1985 — ruled by a president that has on multiple occasions mulled over sending troops to shut down the court, as our Brasília correspondent Débora Álvares has revealed. Moreover, the country faces what looks set to be the worst economic crisis in history and is still struggling to control the coronavirus spread.

If that wasn’t enough, Chief Justice Fux takes office in a moment when the reputation of the court has been severely damaged. Those who believe the court performs a bad or terrible job (29 percent) outnumber those who approve of its work (27 percent). 

The Supreme Court’s image crisis is fueled by the justices’ perceived adoption of an increasingly political role, as well as disregard for its own precedent — deepening the sense of political chaos and uncertainty in the country.

What the Fux Supreme Court will look like

Chief Justice Fux’s history might hint at what kind of court he will seek to lead for the next two years (unlike the U.S., the Chief Justice...