Senate President Davi Alcolumbre publicly expressed dissatisfaction with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's choice of Attorney-General Jorge Messias for a Supreme Court vacancy. Alcolumbre had advocated for his ally Rodrigo Pacheco, who plans to quit politics. The Senate's response includes signs of tension with the government, such as canceled votes and a narrow margin in a recent nomination.
On Tuesday (18), Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), Senate President, openly showed discontent with the imminent appointment of Attorney-General Jorge Messias to the STF, a vacancy opened by Luís Roberto Barroso's early retirement at age 67, when he could have stayed until 75. Alcolumbre favored Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), former Senate President and close ally, whom he helped elect in 2021 and who facilitated his return to leadership in 2025.
Lula's preference for Messias was known for weeks, but on Monday night (17), the president confirmed to Pacheco that the pick would be the Attorney-General, as revealed by columnist Mônica Bergamo in Folha. Questioned by journalists, Alcolumbre initially avoided comment but later said: "We have to wait, what can we do? If I could, I would make the indication."
Pacheco indicated he would quit politics to return to law practice, despite Lula wanting him to run for governor of Minas Gerais and support his reelection. This prospect particularly upset Alcolumbre, according to allies. The choice strains the relationship between Alcolumbre, a key supporter of the PT government, and Lula.
The Senate responded with resistance signals: the previous week, Paulo Gonet's reappointment as Prosecutor-General received only 45 votes, four above the minimum 41, the tightest margin since redemocratization. Alcolumbre was decisive in that approval but signals he won't rally similar support for Messias. A day after Lula's talk with Pacheco, the Senate canceled meetings of the Economic Affairs Committee to vote on a government-priority bill, such as increased taxation on bets and fintechs. Sources indicate this sours relations between the Executive and Legislature somewhat, making things harder for the Planalto, though not to a full break.