Elected Senators Increase Pressure to Impeach Supreme Court Justices

The 2026 elections resulted in a Senate with a clear majority of lawmakers advocating for the impeachment of Federal Supreme Court (STF) justices. This shift has drawn intense attention in the press and political debates.

Alexandre de Moraes' Frustrated Expectations

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, in conversations with contacts in the legal community, expressed surprise upon realizing that most of the elected senators favor impeachment. He had been told that Senate President Davi Alcolumbre would secure a centrist majority and block removal petitions, but the election results defied that expectation.

Proportion of Pro-Impeachment Senators

According to surveys by journalistic sources, at least 50 of the 81 senators elected for the term beginning in 2027 support impeaching STF justices. For the process to be approved, 54 votes are required, in addition to the approval of the Senate President, who holds the authority to move the petition forward.

Investigated Senators and Potential Leverage

More than half of the pro-impeachment senators are named in ongoing investigations or legal proceedings. Among the 31 new pro-impeachment senators, 16 are mentioned in inquiries currently before the STF or that could reach the Court upon taking office. Cases include allegations of salary kickbacks ("rachadinha"), embezzlement of public funds, and involvement in police operations such as Operation Galho Fraco.

Legislative Reactions and Institutional Limits

Pro-impeachment lawmakers recall that Congress holds the authority to suspend criminal proceedings against its members upon request from political parties. This prerogative was recently used to stay an action against Representative Gustavo Gayer, who was elected senator for Goiás.

Proposals for STF Reform

Some of the new senators, such as Carlos Jordy, advocate for structural changes to the STF, including fixed terms of eight to ten years for justices, an end to monocratic rulings, and stripping the Court of its criminal jurisdiction. According to Jordy, such reforms would prevent individual court decisions from interfering with legislative deliberations.

Dialogue Between Branches and Future Outlook

Rogério Marinho, campaign coordinator for Flávio Bolsonaro and a potential Senate President, stated that the legislature would not fail to act in the face of an impeachable offense by an STF justice. At the same time, he indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue with the Court, while ruling out the possibility of impeaching Alexandre de Moraes.

With reporting from O GLOBO, Metrópoles, VEJA.