Lula Demands Transparency and Integrity Amid STF 'Master' Case Scandal
President Lula calls for transparency and integrity in the Supreme Court amid the ‘Master’ case scandal, criticizing selective leaks and affirming accountability in his family’s investigations.
- • Lula emphasizes that STF ministers should not seek personal enrichment and calls their role a priesthood demanding integrity.
- • He criticizes STF Minister André Mendonça for selectively releasing information in the 'Master' case investigations.
- • Lula insists on full transparency to expose corruption and calls for accountability, including regarding his son Lulinha’s investigations.
- • He condemns misuse of judicial power, stresses public investment over fiscal surplus obsession, and criticizes rival Sergio Moro.
- • The political context includes Flávio Bolsonaro’s pledge to appoint new STF ministers and accusations linking Lula to controversial STF figures.
Key details
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, amidst his re-election campaign, has strongly addressed the ongoing scandal involving the Supreme Federal Court (STF), known as the 'Master' case. Speaking at a campaign event in Curitiba on September 12, 2026, Lula emphasized that no Supreme Court minister should seek personal enrichment from their position, likening their role to a "sacerdócio" — a priesthood requiring dignity and integrity. He criticized the selective disclosure of information related to the allegations in the 'Master' case and called for full transparency to expose those truly responsible for corrupt practices.
The 'Master' case centers on suspicious communications between former banker Daniel Vorcaro and STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes, involving a controversial R$130 million contract and police operations. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and STF President Edson Fachin have pushed to remove secrecy surrounding the investigations, including a mandate for Minister André Mendonça, the case's relator, to lift restrictions on information. Lula, however, sharply criticized Mendonça for allegedly releasing information selectively to serve personal or political interests.
While defending the necessity of transparency, Lula also touched on related political issues. He condemned the use of judicial offices for personal gain and emphasized the importance of public investment, particularly in education, over fiscal surplus obsession, citing Brazil’s staggering debt costs of R$1.3 trillion in interest payments. He also dismissed former judge Sergio Moro—a political rival running for Paraná governor—as dishonest.
Lula did not shy away from discussing his family's legal challenges. His son, Fábio Luís Lula da Silva (Lulinha), is under investigation for corruption and influence trafficking linked to a Health Ministry contract for cannabidiol-based medications. While expressing confidence in his son's innocence, Lula stated that if Lulinha is guilty, he must face the consequences, underscoring his commitment to accountability.
The political tensions escalate with Flávio Bolsonaro, who vowed to appoint new STF ministers if elected and linked Lula to Minister Moraes, further complicating the highly charged electoral atmosphere.
Lula’s comments reflect a broader demand for integrity in Brazil’s judicial and political spheres amid a scandal that has shaken public trust. His insistence on uncovering the truth and transparent investigations is central to his campaign message as Brazil heads toward elections.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Date of Lula's speech
Sources report different dates for Lula's speech in Curitiba
g1.globo.com
"Lula's speech occurred during a campaign event in Curitiba on September 12."
www1.folha.uol.com.br
"Lula had called for the complete lifting of secrecy over the investigations on September 9."
Why this matters: One source states the speech occurred on September 12, while the other claims it was on September 9. This discrepancy could affect the timeline of events leading up to the election.