Opposition lawmakers file Barroso impeachment request

criticized speech

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) pointed out that the most recent speeches by the STF minister were just the trigger of a series of actions that demonstrated partisanship and partiality

Brasilia DF) – The Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Luís Roberto Barroso is the subject of a request for investigation for a crime of responsibility. In a press conference this Wednesday (19), opposition parliamentarians said that the petition was filed in the Senate with the signatures of 17 senators and 70 deputies. Senator Jorge Seif (PL-SC) stated that Barroso exercised party-political activity and committed a crime of responsibility, according to the Impeachment Law (Law 1,079, of 1950), when he stated, in a congress of the National Union of Students (UNE), on July 12, that “we defeated Bolsonarism”.

“Today, July 19, we, senators and deputies, presented a request to impeach Minister Barroso. On July 5th, in the city of Porto Alegre [RS], [o ministro Barroso] stated that the Judiciary has become a political power. Equally or more serious were his statements here in Brasilia, at the last UNE event, where the magistrate stated “we defeated censorship, we defeated torture, we defeated Bolsonarism to allow democracy and the free manifestation of all people”.

Statements by the President [do Senado Rodrigo] Pacheco about Minister Barroso’s speeches make us certain that the president of this House also saw the gravity and crimes of responsibility contained in it”, said Seif, referring to Pacheco’s criticism of what Barroso said.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) pointed out that the most recent speeches by the STF minister were just the trigger of a series of actions that demonstrated partisanship and partiality.

“The picture that we see today of what Minister Barroso did is horrific, but the film of what he has been doing in recent years is horror. He came into the National Congress to work against that PEC [Proposta de Emenda à Constituição] of electronic voting with printed receipt. With what legitimacy does he now assume the presidency of the STF? With what morale will you assume the presidency of the CNJ [Conselho Nacional de Justiça, responsável por fiscalizar cumprimento de deveres pelos juízes]?” he questioned.

Senators Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) and Hamilton Mourão (Republicanos-RS), among others, also signed the impeachment request.

The Constitution assigns to the Senate the competence to prosecute and judge ministers of the STF, members of the National Councils of Justice (CNJ) and of the Public Ministry (CNMP), the Attorney General of the Republic and the Attorney General of the Union for crimes of responsibility, which are defined by the Impeachment Law. Anyone who acts incompatible with the decorum of their duties or who engage in party-political activity, among other actions, is subject to the penalty of impeachment.

*With information from the Chamber

Read more:

Barroso calls Pacheco to clarify statement on Bolsonarism

Barroso releases payment of the national nursing floor

Barroso releases public transport for free in the 2nd round of elections