Ricardo Lewandowski was nominated for the Supreme Court during Lula’s second term, in 2006.| Photo: Antonio Augusto/TSE

The decree granting retirement to Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), was published this Thursday (6), in the Official Gazette. The measure, which takes effect on April 11, was signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Lewandowski was due to retire on May 11, when he turns 75, but decided to anticipate his departure from the Court, for “academic and professional” reasons. The magistrate was appointed to the Supreme Court during Lula’s second term, in 2006.

In the last session in which he participated in the STF, held on the 30th, the minister was asked if he even talked to Lula about a possible replacement, but he denied it. “This is a decision, regarding my successor, exclusive to the President of the Republic and I wouldn’t even dare to make any suggestion in this regard”, he said.

There is still no official nomination from Lula, but among the names quoted to take over the vacancy, appears that of the president of the Federal Audit Court, Bruno Dantas. However, lawyer Cristiano Zanin, who defended Lula at the time of Operation Lava Jato, is the main bet.