The Lula government is celebrating the switch in the rapporteurship of the Master case at the Supreme Court from Dias Toffoli to André Mendonça, believing it reflects better political prospects for their administration.
The Lula government in Brazil has expressed public satisfaction with the recent change in the rapporteurship of the Master case at the Supreme Federal Court, moving from Dias Toffoli to André Mendonça. The government's allies argue that Toffoli has lost the political capability to handle this sensitive case, and they believe Mendonça will approach it with more seriousness and integrity. This change not only reflects a strategic shift within the court but also serves to improve the image of President Lula's administration amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding the case.
Toffoli, having distanced himself from Lula in recent years, remains heavily associated with the former president and the Workers' Party (PT), as he had previously served as their legal advisor. Consequently, the criticisms directed at Toffoli regarding his handling of the case have collected backlash on the government, thereby complicating Lula's political positioning. The transfer of the case to Mendonça, a nominee of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is perceived by some within the PT as alleviating the political burden that came with Toffoli's previous involvement.
This strategic alteration is seen not only as a means to mitigate the potential fallout from the case but also as an opportunity for the Lula administration to redefine the narrative and shift blame to the opposition. With Mendonça now taking the lead, government allies believe they are distancing themselves from the controversies associated with the case while redirecting public focus onto how the judiciary will handle the proceedings moving forward.
