Brazilian Senate rejects Lula's Supreme Court nominee in divisive vote
Brazilian lawyer Jorge Messias, 46, was rejected by the Senate on Wednesday in a 42–34 vote, with one abstention.
Messias had been nominated by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in November, but Senate President David Alcolumbre consistently opposed the appointment.
During a grueling eight-hour confirmation hearing before the Senate's powerful Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship Committee (CCJ), Messias adopted conservative stances in an apparent bid to win support from right-wing and far-right senators.
With his defeat, President Lula must now select a new candidate for the vacant seat on the Supreme Federal Court, which currently has 10 justices.
Senate President Alcolumbre has already signaled that if Lula nominates a new candidate before October's general elections, he will not schedule a vote in Congress.
Leaving the National Congress on Wednesday evening, Messias told reporters he had fulfilled his "destiny."
"Life is like this—there are days of glory and days of defeat. The Senate is sovereign. We must accept it. Part of the democratic process is knowing how to win and how to lose. […] I am grateful for the votes I received. I believe each of us has a purpose, and I am fulfilling mine," he said.
With Lusa
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