President of Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court to retire

President of Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (“STF”) Joaquim Barbosa announced today (May 29) to the of the Court his early retirement at the end of June. “I am going to request my departure from the public service after nearly 41 years,” he declared. This morning, Barbosa met with President Dilma Rousseff, and with the head of the Chamber of Deputies Henrique Eduardo Alves, and that of the Senate, Renan Calheiros, to inform them of his decision.

STF’s current Vice-President Ricardo Lewandowski will take the chair of the Court. Barbosa, 59 years old, could remain in his position up to 2024, aging 70, when his retirement would be mandatory. Joaquim Barbosa was known for presiding over the trials in the corruption scandal known as mensalão, which convicted former presidential Chief of Staff José Dirceu, during then-President Lula da Silva’s istration

Born in the small town of Paracatu, in the state of Minas Gerais, Joaquim Barbosa was the first black man to become the Court’s chief justice. He has been the president of the STF and the National Justice Council since November 2012, and was appointed to the Court in 2003 under Lula.

Barbosa said it was an honor to occupy a chair at the STF. “I’ve had the satisfaction and joy to be part of this Court in what can perhaps be regarded as its most fecund moment, the richest in creativity and crucial to the country’s political and institutional landscape. I extend my gratitude to all,” he declared.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira