Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) President Edson Fachin is pushing for a code of ethics for the court to establish clearer conduct rules for its ministers. However, this initiative has sparked a divide among the ministers, including those who originally backed the proposal. While Fachin believes he has the support of the majority of the ten ministers for the proposal, there are concerns about the timing of the debate, especially as the court faces a crisis of image and challenges to some members' conduct.

Some supporters of the code worry that discussing it could further weaken the court's reputation and subject it to more attacks amid ongoing scrutiny. Internal evaluations revealed that although many ministers, including Cármen Lúcia (the appointed rapporteur for the project), Cristiano Zanin, Luiz Fux, André Mendonça, and Flávio Dino, are in favor of establishing a code, there is trepidation regarding how and when the proposal is discussed publicly.

The push for an ethical guideline reflects broader discussions about accountability and integrity in Brazil's judiciary, especially given the current political and social climate. The proposal aims to provide a framework to improve the image of the STF and restore public trust, which has been challenged in recent years; however, ministers need to navigate internal divisions and external perceptions carefully as they consider this important step for the court’s future.