Minister Nunes Marques will occupy the chair of Ricardo Lewandowski, who retired.| Photo: Carlos Moura/SCO/STF.

Minister Nunes Marques was elected this Wednesday (17) as an effective member of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). The election was held to fill the seat of Ricardo Lewandowski, who retired last month. The choice took place in a symbolic way, since Marques acts as a substitute justice in the Electoral Court in the vacancy of those from the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

The TSE is composed of seven ministers, three from the STF, two from the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), and two lawyers with notorious legal knowledge, informed Agência Brasil. This week, two ministers left the TSE. With the end of the mandates of Sérgio Banhos and Carlos Horbach, coming from the chairs destined to the law, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) will be able to make the first appointments to the court in his third term.

The first vacancy was opened this Tuesday (16) with the departure of minister Sérgio Banhos. He has been in office for four years and cannot continue in office because he has completed the maximum period of two bienniums allowed. The second chair will become available this Thursday (18) with the departure of Minister Carlos Horbach, who could be reappointed for another two years, but chose not to be among the names that will run for permanence.

The choice of two new justices will occur after the approval of a triple list by the STF. Then, the three most voted names will be sent to the Presidency of the Republic, and it will be up to President Lula to choose one of the suggested names. There is no legal deadline for the choice.