Newspaper: Brazilian Leaders Met to Discuss Weakening Judge Mendonça
A Brazilian newspaper has reported that three powerful figures met to discuss a plan against a Supreme Court justice.
According to the report, President Lula, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre had dinner together at Moraes' home.
The newspaper claims the three men discussed how to weaken Justice André Mendonça, who also sits on Brazil's top court.
Mendonça was appointed to the Supreme Court by former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Moraes is one of the most powerful judges in Brazil and has led several high-profile legal cases.
Alcolumbre currently holds the position of Senate President, an important role in Brazilian politics.
The report suggests that the dinner meeting focused specifically on ways to reduce Mendonça's influence.
It is not clear what specific actions, if any, were discussed or agreed upon during the meeting.
The newspaper has not provided further details about when the dinner took place or what evidence supports its claims.
This report raises questions about relationships between different branches of Brazilian government.
The Supreme Court, the presidency, and the Senate are meant to operate independently under Brazil's constitution.
Any coordinated effort to target a sitting justice could raise concerns about the separation of powers.
None of the individuals named have publicly responded to the report at this time.
It remains to be seen whether more information will emerge about this alleged meeting.
Vocabulary10 words
- plan
- an idea about what to do next
- weaken
- to make someone less powerful
- Supreme Court
- the highest court in a country
- appointed
- chosen for a job by someone in power
- influence
- the power to affect what happens
- report
- news information given by a newspaper
- constitution
- the main rules of a country
- separation of powers
- keeping government parts independent
- coordinated
- planned together by more than one person
- sitting justice
- a judge currently working on the court
Quiz
Answer key
1. A report claiming Lula, Moraes, and Alcolumbre met to discuss weakening Mendonça 2. At Moraes' home 3. Jair Bolsonaro
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A Brazilian newspaper has reported that three powerful figures met to discuss a _____ against a Supreme Court justice.
According to the report, President Lula, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and Senate President Davi _____ had dinner together at Moraes' home.
The newspaper claims the three men discussed how to _____ Justice André Mendonça, who also sits on Brazil's top court.
Mendonça was appointed to the Supreme Court by former president Jair _____.
Moraes is one of the most powerful judges in Brazil and has led several high-profile legal _____.
Alcolumbre currently holds the position of Senate _____, an important role in Brazilian politics.
The report suggests that the dinner meeting focused specifically on ways to reduce Mendonça's _____.
This report raises questions about relationships between different _____ of Brazilian government.
Any coordinated effort to target a sitting justice could raise concerns about the separation of _____.
None of the individuals named have publicly _____ to the report at this time.
Discussion questions
- Why might it be controversial for a president, a judge, and a Senate leader to meet privately?
- What does 'separation of powers' mean, and why is it important in a democracy?
- How should journalists verify claims like the one in this report before publishing them?
- What might be the political consequences if this report is confirmed to be true?