Marco Buzzi, a minister of Brazil's Superior Court of Justice (STJ), has put in a request for a 90-day leave to undergo psychiatric treatment due to ongoing investigations regarding allegations of sexual harassment. The request was made formally through a psychiatric evaluation and was submitted to the tribunal on Tuesday, signaling the seriousness of the situation surrounding him. The request comes at a time of increased scrutiny against public figures and their conduct, particularly regarding sexual impropriety.

The STJ is set to hold a closed-door meeting to discuss Buzzi's conduct and whether to take administrative action regarding his position pending the outcomes of internal investigations. There are indications from court insiders that the ministers are unlikely to deliberate on his medical leave request in this meeting, as they focus more on the allegations and any potential disciplinary action he might face. This highlights the internal conflict within the court and the delicate nature of handling such serious allegations against one of its members.

Should Buzzi's fellow ministers decide to vote for his temporary removal, the court will reassess his situation once the investigations concluded. The growing cases of harassment accusations among public officials underscore the challenges faced by institutions in addressing misconduct while ensuring due process. This situation also reflects broader societal issues in Brazil regarding accountability and the treatment of sexual harassment claims in the public sphere.