The Federal Senate, the upper house of Brazil’s National Congress, approved the name of Cristiano Zanin, age 47, as the new Justice of the Federal Supreme Court (STF). Controversial appointment, having been Lula da Silva’s personal attorney during the Operation Lava-Jato trials, Zanin underwent an oral test by parliamentarians, as provided for in the constitution, for more than eight hours, without major setbacks.
The result of the vote of the senators who participated in the survey was 21 votes in favor and five against. It is now up to the full Senate to ratify the decision.
Among the senators questioning Zanin was Sergio Moro, a Lava Jato judge who clashed with the current candidate for the STF. Moro, Jair Bolsonaro’s justice minister from 2018 to 2019 who was even considered for the position Zanin will hold, asked 14 questions, more than any other senator, but in a lenient tone.
The most tense moment was when he asked if Zanin had been a best man at Lula’s wedding, giving voice to fake news on the internet that the candidate denied. Zanin, on the other hand, promised not to judge Lava Jato’s actions in defending Lula in the STF.
Criticism of Zanin’s performance in the Senate oral trial ultimately came mainly from the left, contrary to what might be expected, due to the fact that the new Supreme Court justice is not committed to progressive cases such as the decriminalization of soft drugs or the legalization of abortion.
Source: DN
