Understand why Messias remains the favorite for Barroso's seat on the Supreme Court.
Political support, technical expertise, and behind-the-scenes connections strengthen his position.
247 - Allies and observers of the Judiciary point out that Jorge Messias maintains a significant advantage in the race for the vacancy left by Minister Luís Roberto Barroso on the Supreme Court.
According to column of Julia DuailibiThe combination of political presence in the government, personal trust with Lula, and institutional status makes Messias the name viewed with the most favor behind the scenes in the Court and Congress.
Messias, the current Attorney General of the Union, has influence in both branches of government and has been a key player in strategic legal decisions of the Executive branch, which gives him visibility for the position. His previous nomination to the AGU was interpreted as a calculated rapprochement between the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court.
Within the Supreme Court, Messias's name is already seen as a natural replacement for Barroso. Analysts point out that, in previous choices, Lula prioritized names with political affinity—as in the case of Cristiano Zanin and Flávio Dino—and that Messias embodies this combination.
If the final choice maintains this pattern, his nomination is likely to encounter less resistance in the Senate, especially considering that he presents himself as a reliable interlocutor for different groups.
