President Lula Calls for Judicial Reform Amid STF Crisis Over Banco Master Scandal

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recorded a video on Thursday demanding a transparent investigation into the Banco Master scandal, which he described as the largest theft in Brazilian history. Lula called for deep reforms of the political system and the Judiciary, stating that investigations must proceed without shielding anyone. He urged the president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Edson Fachin, and the Prosecutor General's Office to lead a process that ensures institutional integrity. The president also noted that the democracy cannot be held hostage by selective leaks.

The crisis within the STF intensified following the revelation of messages between Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Daniel Vorcaro, the owner of Banco Master. Reports indicate that Vorcaro asked Moraes if he should flee the country shortly before his arrest. In response to the fallout, Justice Moraes requested an investigation into his colleague, Justice André Mendonça, for abuse of authority and improbity. Justice Mendonça, who served as the rapporteur for the Banco Master case, had made Federal Police reports public that suggested irregularities in the dialogues between Moraes and Vorcaro.

Different political perspectives have emerged regarding the president's response. Center right sources frame the situation as a power struggle between magistrates and note that Lula avoided mentioning Moraes by name to distance himself from his ally. Another center right perspective suggests Lula is attempting to profit from the case by attributing the merit of the investigations to his own government. Meanwhile, a center left source focuses on the president's demand for a transparent investigation without shielding any public figures.