Left-Wing Parties Mobilize to Impeach STF Minister André Mendonça Amid Institutional Tensions
Leftist parties are uniting behind an impeachment request against Supreme Court Minister André Mendonça, citing judicial overreach amid escalating political tensions.
- • Juliano Medeiros coordinates with left-wing groups to file impeachment against STF Minister André Mendonça.
- • Mendonça criticized for overstepping judicial authority and political bias.
- • Conflict intensified by Mendonça’s removal of Federal Police leader Andrei Rodrigues.
- • STF’s Second Chamber upheld Rodrigues’ removal despite opposition requests.
- • AGU plans legal challenge citing presidential authority infringement.
Key details
On September 8, 2026, Juliano Medeiros, president of the PSOL-Rede federation, announced efforts to gather leftist parties for a collective impeachment request against Supreme Court Minister André Mendonça. Medeiros criticized Mendonça for overstepping his judicial authority and engaging in political actions akin to those of former judge Sérgio Moro. He accused Mendonça of acting as an ally to former President Jair Bolsonaro, aiming to restore Bolsonaro’s political faction by leveraging judicial power.
This political move follows intense institutional conflict triggered by Mendonça’s decision to preemptively remove Andrei Rodrigues from the Federal Police leadership. The Advocacia-Geral da União (AGU) announced plans to contest this removal at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), arguing that the decision conflicts with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s exclusive powers.
Despite the AGU’s challenge and a request by Minister Gilmar Mendes for more time to analyze the case, the STF’s Second Chamber voted 3-0 to uphold Rodrigues’ removal, with Ministers Luiz Fux and Nunes Marques siding with Mendonça. This ruling has further deepened tensions within Brazil’s highest court and political environment.
Medeiros labeled Mendonça as a “new Moro,” underlining the minister’s judicial conduct as politically motivated and excessive. He stressed that the impeachment request arises from Mendonça’s tendency to use court decisions for partisan ends, which threatens Brazil’s institutional stability.
The coordinated push for impeachment highlights growing friction between branches of government and reflects widespread concern over the judiciary’s role in political affairs. As these developments escalate, the outcomes could substantially impact Brazil’s political landscape and the balance of judicial and executive powers.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
