In a recent editorial, the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo (Estadão) criticized the Senate’s approval of Cristiano Zanin, Lula’s lawyer, for a position in the Supreme Court of Brazil.
Thanks to Zanin, Lula is no longer imprisoned and could run as a presidential candidate in 2022.
Estadão is the third-largest newspaper in Brazil and has the second-largest circulation in the city of São Paulo.
The editorial pointed out that the Senate managed to conduct a completely useless hearing, as it failed to shed any light on Zanin’s actual beliefs.
According to the newspaper, the eight hours dedicated to questioning the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee nominee left the Court with a complete unknown.
The senators had ample opportunity to ask Zanin pertinent questions as the nominee from the President, but their speeches were embarrassing at best, even from those who claimed to be in opposition to the government, notes the editorial.
The Estadão suggests that the senators, especially those from the opposition, should have been more incisive in their questioning of Zanin but instead chose to flatter the lawyer.
The newspaper further suggests that these congressmen are cowardly.
The editorial recalls that the Senate’s responsibility in the process of selecting Supreme Court justices was widely emphasized during the 2022 election campaign.
Many of the current senators were elected precisely on the promise of firm action in defense of the constitutional requirements for Supreme Court appointments.
In conclusion, the newspaper asserts that Brazil is resentful, and Zanin’s presence in the Supreme Court does not contribute to the proper protection of the institution as it should.