For jurists, Moraes’ night out with senators on a luxury boat is a “mockery”
"Moraes's party with the senators is the scornful laughter of those who do not respect or take democracy and the Democratic Rule of Law seriously," protested Carolina Ferraz, a professor at the Catholic University of Pernambuco; retired judge and USP professor of Criminal Law Walter Maierovitch said that the party is yet another sign that Alexandre de Moraes does not meet the requirement of "unblemished reputation" – "He lacks posture and composure. He does not meet the constitutional requirement of unblemished reputation," he said; report by Justificando
Do Justifying - This Thursday, the 9th, the Minister of Justice, Alexandre de Moraes, about to be questioned by the Senate for a vacancy on the Supreme Federal Court, met behind closed doors on the barge Champagne, also known as the "Love Boat," a luxury vessel owned by Senator Wilder Morais (PP-GO), who was present at the event with seven other senators. The episode was treated by the media as a "informal grilling" e "reckless night out"but it was received as a scandal by the legal community.
In addition to Wilder, the following senators were present at the gathering: Benedito de Lira (PP-AL), Cidinho Santos (PR-MT), Davi Alcolumbre (DEM-AP), Ivo Cassol (PP-RO), José Medeiros (PSD-MT), Sérgio Petecão (PSD-AC), and Zezé Perrella (PMDB-MG). The senators, all men, stated that it was a meeting to learn Moraes's opinions. One of them told Época magazine that... "They asked tougher questions than those that will be asked during the CCJ hearing."
The closed-door meeting of the Minister of Justice, on a vessel known for its lavish parties fueled by drinks and "love," with senators who were supposed to question him in the Senate, outraged the Professor Doctor from the Catholic University of Pernambuco. Carolina Ferraz, who described the episode as "mockery" – Moraes's party with the senators is the mocking laughter of those who do not respect or take democracy and the democratic rule of law seriously.
"The promiscuity between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches is disgusting. Everything is done on the basis of backroom deals, immorality, and lack of ethics. When a group of senators, accompanied by a future Supreme Court Justice, indulge in disrespecting the independence and separation of powers at a party on a love boat, fueled by whiskey, a feeling of hopelessness remains." – c"The teacher finished."
On social media, the retired judge and Professor of Criminal Law at USP, Walter MaierovitchHe said that the party is yet another sign that Alexandre de Moraes does not meet the requirement of "unblemished reputation." "He lacks poise and composure. He does not meet the constitutional requirement of an unblemished reputation." – published.
Words failed him. Marcia Semer, Attorney for the State of São Paulo and General Secretary of the Union of State Attorneys, to qualify the news and conduct prior to Alexandre de Moraes' confirmation hearing – "The avalanche of academically disparaging news circulating in recent days about the future Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is shocking, but the news of the 'on the boat' dinner with senators shows such inappropriate pre-confirmation conduct that I wouldn't know how to describe it. It's all quite embarrassing... and worrying."
For the President of the Judges for Democracy Association (AJD), André Augusto Bezerra, A meeting like this reflects the lack of transparency in the nomination and confirmation process for a Supreme Court justice. "It is a Brazilian tradition that the criteria for nomination and appointment to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) are decided behind closed doors. Instead of promoting public debate, secrecy is fostered. Now is no different." stated
According to the political scientist Professor Doctor from the University of Campinas (Unicamp), Frederico de AlmeidaThe boat incident reveals the hypocrisy inherent in the presumption and expectation that the Supreme Court is politically neutral and that nominations to the court are not politically motivated. However, he lamented that such meetings are outside the realm of public scrutiny and that open confirmation hearings are merely ritualistic.
"What we need to do is acknowledge this political nature and discuss more seriously the process of nominating, questioning, and appointing ministers. I see no problem with a candidate for Supreme Court Justice discussing their aspirations with senators, but I prefer that this be done openly, in public events or in a more careful and not merely ritualistic questioning, as happens today in the Senate, and not in a private gathering under highly suspicious circumstances.” stated.
Controversies surrounding Moraes's name have multiplied since he was nominated by President Michel Temer earlier this week. During this period, he was already accused of plagiarizing a Spanish author..