Cármen Lúcia, the president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) in Brazil, emphasized the importance of having competent and impartial judges during a recent lecture at the University Center of Brasília (CEUB). She highlighted the need for citizens to feel assured that they are being judged fairly by ethical judges, reflecting her commitment to the integrity of the judicial system. Her passionate call — "God forbid I be judged by a judge who is not independent, impartial, ethical and honest" — resonates with ongoing public discourse about judicial ethics and accountability in Brazil.

Lúcia’s remarks come in the context of her role as the rapporteur for a proposed code of conduct, which aims to outline ethical standards for judges following the recent controversies surrounding financial fraud investigations involving the now-defunct Banco Master. The proposed code, initiated by Supreme Court President Edson Fachin, is set to be discussed by the court after the upcoming elections, suggesting a proactive step towards rebuilding the image of the judiciary, which has faced scrutiny in light of these events.

Currently, other Supreme Court justices, such as Alexandre de Moraes and Dias Toffoli, are under significant public pressure due to allegations and issues arising from the aforementioned investigations. Cármen Lúcia’s statements stress the urgent need for reform and signify a broader effort within the judiciary to restore public confidence in their ethical standards while promoting transparency and accountability in legal proceedings.