Brazil's top court chief halts clashing rulings as judicial feud rattles election race

Brazil's Supreme Court president Edson Fachin moved on Wednesday to contain an internal crisis, suspending a string of conflicting rulings issued by rival justices that have overshadowed the run-up to next month's presidential election.

The turmoil stems from a scandal over alleged contacts between Justice Alexandre de Moraes — who previously led the investigation into former president Jair Bolsonaro's attempt to cling to power — and banker Daniel Vorcaro, who faces massive fraud charges. The feud has pitted de Moraes against fellow Justice Andre Mendonca, a Bolsonaro appointee.

How the dispute unfolded

Mendonca triggered the row by ordering the release of text messages Vorcaro had sent to de Moraes. De Moraes responded by accusing Mendonca of abuse of power, citing confidential police intelligence. Mendonca then suspended federal police chief Andrei Rodrigues, alleging he had been spied on. A day later, Justice Flavio Dino, a former minister under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, reinstated Rodrigues. Fachin subsequently suspended both rulings and gave Rodrigues 48 hours to submit information before a final decision.

Election fallout and business alarm

The crisis has overtaken the campaign in which Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president's senator son, is challenging leftist incumbent Lula. The leaked messages from Vorcaro, whose bank collapsed last year, have fueled political attacks, with Lula calling for full transparency and an end to leaks timed to influence the election. Before his arrest, Vorcaro had sent about 30 messages to a number police believe belongs to de Moraes.

Around 3,000 business organizations issued a joint statement on Wednesday warning of a severe institutional crisis, saying that if judges' legitimacy is questioned, legal certainty and public trust in institutions are put at risk.