STF President Edson Fachin Intervenes to Resolve Institutional Crisis

Supreme Court (STF) President Edson Fachin issued three decisions on Wednesday, September 9, to address an institutional crisis involving conflicts between ministers Alexandre de Moraes, André Mendonça, and Flávio Dino. The crisis stems from investigations into the Master bank scandal and the involvement of former banker Daniel Vorcaro. As part of his measures, Fachin removed Minister Alexandre de Moraes from the relatorship of the fake news inquiry and scheduled a plenary session for September 15 to decide whether to open an investigation into Moraes regarding his communications with Vorcaro.

Fachin also intervened in a dispute over the leadership of the Federal Police. He suspended a decision by Minister Mendonça to remove the director general of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, and the intelligence director, Leandro Almada, from their posts. Simultaneously, he suspended a decision by Minister Flávio Dino that had ordered their reinstatement. This effectively leaves the current leadership in place while the court resolves the impasse. Additionally, Fachin suspended a probe by the Prosecutor General's Office into suspected undue interference by Minister Mendonça in the Federal Police.

The conflict involves allegations regarding a 131 million reais contract signed in January 2024 between the Master bank and the law firm of Minister Moraes' family. The Law School of the University of São Paulo issued a public note expressing deep concern over the situation and urging that the court not bow to personal interests or political passions.

Reporting on the event varies by political lean. Center leaning coverage frames the situation as a chaotic breakdown of internal court discipline, comparing the STF to a wrestling arena where ministers are fighting for control. Center right leaning coverage focuses on the procedural details of the legal conflicts and the specific risk to the integrity of the democratic state and the rule of law.