Jorge Messias, from the Attorney General's Office (AGU), is the favorite to fill Barroso's seat on the Supreme Court.
President Lula is considering nominating his current Attorney General to the Supreme Court, which would consolidate a significant majority of justices appointed by him.
247 - The minister's imminent retirement Luis Roberto Barroso It opened up an intense dispute in Brasilia for the next vacancy in Federal Supreme Court (STF). Second report from Valor EconômicoAccording to a report published on October 9, 2025, the favorite to succeed the current [name of successor]... Attorney General of the Union, Jorge Messias, 45 years old, who has strong support from Planalto Palace and personal closeness with the President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The choice, which rests exclusively with Lula, pits Messias against... Senate President, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG)The 48-year-old candidate has the backing of the Executive branch, while the second is supported by sectors of Congress and ministers of the Supreme Court itself. The political equation, however, favors Messias, who has maintained a relationship of trust with the president since his time in government. Dilma Rousseff, when he headed the Sub-Chief of Legal Affairs (SAJ) of the Presidency of the Republic.
Messias became nationally known after being mentioned by Dilma in a phone conversation illegally intercepted by the operation. lava Jatoin which the then-president instructed him to deliver Lula's term of office at the Civil House, amidst the then-judge's attempt. Sergio Moro to arrest him. The maneuver was ultimately thwarted by a decision of the minister. Gilmar Mendes, who today supports Pacheco's candidacy — ironically, Messias's main opponent in this new contest for the seat vacated by Barroso.
Those close to Messias emphasize that, in addition to personal trust, his appointment would represent recognition of an ally who stood by Lula during critical moments and maintained an institutional stance during the years of judicial persecution. "Why would Lula choose not to appoint his own lawyer and instead select the Senate's lawyer?" ask people close to the government.
On the other hand, Pacheco's allies emphasize the political weight of Senator Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), who openly supports the Senate president's nomination and has been a key figure for the Executive's governability. They argue that, after a series of victories in strategic votes, it would be natural for the government to reciprocate the loyalty of Alcolumbre's group.
Against Messias is the fact that Lula has previously nominated an Attorney General of the Union to the Supreme Court — Toffoli days, appointed in 2009 — and that the current president would like to see Pacheco running for governor of Minas Gerais in 2026. Even so, the tendency is for the president to opt for a name he trusts most deeply for a court where he has already consolidated strong influence: with the next appointment, Lula will have five of the 11 Supreme Court justices on his side..
In addition to Toffoli, the president nominated Carmen Lucia (2006) Christian Zanin (2023) and Flavio Dino (2024). Other members of the Court were chosen by Dilma Rousseff — Luiz Fux, Edson Fachin and himself Barroso - Michel Temer (Alexandre de Moraes) Jair Bolsonaro (Kassio Nunes and André Mendonça) and Fernando Henrique Cardoso (Gilmar Mendes).
Although Barroso had already signaled in interviews and speeches that his retirement was approaching, the decision to leave office before the end of the year surprised observers. However, this move is not expected to pressure Lula into a hasty choice. In the current context of tensions between the Presidential Palace and Congress, the president tends to prioritize political trust and institutional alignment—factors that place him in a difficult position. Jorge Messias A step forward in the race for a seat on the Supreme Court.
