Brazil's Workers' Party (PT) will discuss a political manifesto at its national meeting in Brasília this weekend, proposing milder judiciary reforms. The initial draft referenced 'promiscuity between judges and businessmen', now shifted to 'self-correction mechanisms'. This adjustment comes amid the Banco Master scandal implicating Supreme Federal Court (STF) justices.
The Workers' Party (PT) plans to debate the document at its congress in Brasília, with party leaders inclined to remove controversial terms to protect President Lula's image as he seeks re-election in October 2026.
The original draft called for judiciary reform to eliminate 'promiscuity between judges and businessmen' and overcome the 'neoliberal logic' in economic and social rulings. The current version emphasizes 'democratization, self-correction mechanisms, and strengthening the rule of law'.
The Banco Master scandal fuels the critique. Alexandre de Moraes's wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes, headed a law firm that received R$80 million from the bank over two years. Dias Toffoli was linked to a fund owned by former owner Daniel Vorcaro through a family company.
The manifesto references the case in financial reform terms: '[The PT advocates] financial system reform to combat rent-seeking and enhance regulation, supervision, and transparency in the financial market, strengthening public control tools and preventing risks, especially in light of the lessons from the Master case'. It states the scandal was 'germinated under Bolsonaro's government approval and unmasked by Lula's government'.
PT leaders from Lula's CNB faction, holding the majority, aim to limit fallout. The STF has been close to the PT administration, and the scandal risks electoral backlash despite Lula denying direct involvement.
