Presidential Candidate Renan Santos Calls for New Constitution Amid STF Crisis

Renan Santos, a presidential candidate for the Missão party, has called for the discussion of a new Constitution for Brazil, stating that the 1988 pact has ended and institutionality no longer exists. During an interview with CNN Brasil on Thursday, Santos argued that the current legal framework is no longer functional. He specifically asserted that the next president should not recognize or accept decisions made by Supreme Federal Court (STF) ministers Alexandre de Moraes and Dias Toffoli, claiming their actions are designed to protect Daniel Vorcaro and cover up a corruption scandal known as the Master Case. These comments follow a conflict within the STF where Minister Moraes requested an investigation into Minister André Mendonça after Mendonça lifted the secrecy of documents involving Vorcaro. Santos criticized Moraes for arbitrarily using the Fake News inquiry to target others and expressed hope that the legal proceedings would end with imprisonment. Beyond the judiciary, Santos proposed cutting 250 billion reais in annual government spending by eliminating tax exemptions and benefits for military and judicial members. He also advocated for the removal of the quota system in education and suggested that the state should control the music students listen to in schools to prevent the promotion of organized crime. While center and center-left reports focused primarily on his challenges to the judiciary, center-right coverage provided additional detail on his economic proposals and views on education.