Lula’s nominee for Public Defender advances in the Senate – 12/07/2023 – Power

The Senate’s CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) approved this Wednesday (6), by 19 votes to 0, the name of defender Leonardo Magalhães for command of the DPU (Union Public Defender’s Office). The vote in the House plenary is scheduled for next week.

Magalhães was nominated by Lula (PT) at the end of last month after the Senate rejected the previous nominee, Igor Roque — in a message of dissatisfaction from the senators to the government.

Leonardo Magalhães was third in the triple list drawn up by his career at the end of last year, with 277 votes. Roque appeared in second place, with 290 votes, and Daniel Macedo in first, with 507.

The paralysis in command of the DPU began in November last year, when Jair Bolsonaro (PL) reappointed Macedo. Viewed by the current command of the Palácio do Planalto as a Bolsonarista, he had his nomination withdrawn and was replaced by Roque in May.

Roque, however, ended up failing in October by 38 votes against and 35 in favor after months of friction between the government and the Senate. Publicly, he also became the target of Bolsonarists after the DPU organized a seminar on legal abortion.

During Magalhães’ hearing this Wednesday, senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF), asked Roque “not to be discouraged”. The senator said that it was not approved “for a more delicate issue, more of vision, of ideological vision.”

“And I wanted to send a message to Igor: don’t be discouraged, he’s a great jurist, he’s a great defender. I know it’s a very bad moment. And, if it happens to you, don’t be discouraged, continue your career , continue”, Damares said to Magalhães.

The new nominee was also questioned by senator Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), leader of the opposition, for an excerpt from his master’s thesis in which he mentions, according to the parliamentarian, “people oppressed by the neoliberal order”.

“You have my full public commitment that in this defender you will have someone who complies with the Constitution, someone who complies with the law. Leonardo, a legal scholar, cannot and will not be confused with Leonardo, the general defender”, replied the nominee.

According to interlocutors at Palácio do Planalto, Lula opted for the quickest and least traumatic solution for his career by appointing Magalhães. As the rejection created an unprecedented situation, the DPU was waiting for a signal from the president whether or not to start a new triple list.

Palácio do Planalto highlighted that the Minas Gerais native has been a federal defender for 15 years, working in several areas, including inter-American public defender with the Commission and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.