Brazil’s new Supreme Court Justice Zanin faces both criticism and praise

Brazil’s new Supreme Court (STF) Justice Cristiano Zanin, 47, wraps up his first month on the STF today. He faces both criticism and praise.

Nominated by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Zanin replaced Ricardo Lewandowski. Lewandowski retired early in April 2023.

Zanin’s Senate confirmation received overwhelming support. He got 21 votes in the Judiciary Committee and 58 in the full Senate.

Earlier, Zanin served as Lula’s lawyer. He successfully annulled legal cases, allowing Lula to run for president in 2022.

His history led to lawsuits and criticism from opposition members. However, he turned the tide by meeting senators.

For example, Senator Damares Alves, a former Bolsonaro minister, changed her ‘no’ vote to a ‘yes.’

In his first case, Zanin backed the creation of a “guarantee judge” role. He agreed with Justice Dias Toffoli and believed this could improve Brazil’s justice system.

In another case, he sided against decriminalizing personal drug possession. He argued that it would worsen public health.

Zanin also voted against acknowledging police violence towards Indigenous communities. This drew public scrutiny, with critics and supporters taking to social media.

On the issue of Indigenous land rights, Zanin voted against a restrictive definition. His vote opposed limiting Indigenous lands to those occupied before October 5, 1988.

The Workers’ Party (PT), led by Lula, subtly criticized Zanin recently. Without naming him, PT expressed disappointment in a public statement.

They disagreed with Zanin’s votes on four major issues.

In one month, Zanin made 349 decisions. These include both individual and group judgments. Two decisions involved former President Jair Bolsonaro.

In one, Brazil’s new Supreme Court Justice Zanin shelved a case against Bolsonaro regarding COVID-19 vaccine delays.

In another, he sent a 2018 investigation request about Bolsonaro to the electoral court.

Born on November 15, 1975, Zanin could serve until 2050. He and his wife Valeska, both lawyers, defended Lula from 2013 to 2023.

He earned his law degree in 1999 and specializes in business and criminal litigation.