Brazil's Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Clash Over Supreme Court Crisis

In Brazil in September 2026, President Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, are trading accusations over a crisis at the Supreme Federal Court (STF). Lula recorded a video for former minister José Dirceu saying his election would be a "historic reparation," and said Flávio Bolsonaro is angry at Justice Alexandre de Moraes over the imprisonment of Jair Bolsonaro. Lula also said he did not appoint Moraes to the court. Flávio Bolsonaro says the government is weakened by the postponement of a trial involving Moraes.

Lula said Justice Edson Fachin has a responsibility to prevent the STF crisis from interfering with the electoral process. A leader of the PL party said a recent STF session was "terrible" for Lula's government. The government sees the court's decisions as a "gift" to Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula also mentioned that STF ministers had access to the cellphone of a person named Vorcaro.