Report: Moraes Blocks Lula's Court Pick With Unverified Document
Listen to the story
Brazil's president, Lula, wants to name a new judge to the Supreme Federal Court, known as the STF. His choice is a man called Messias.
According to a news report, another STF judge, Alexandre de Moraes, is trying to stop this plan. Moraes is using a document to block Messias.
The report calls this document apocryphal. This means the document has no clear author and its truth cannot be checked.
By using this document, Moraes is reportedly trying to sabotage Lula's plan. To sabotage means to secretly damage or ruin something.
Some judges at the court do not trust Moraes. The report describes them as a faction that supports another judge, Mendonça.
This pro-Mendonça group believes Moraes has a bigger goal. They think he wants to influence, or contaminate, the whole court.
The report suggests Moraes wants to do this to shield himself. This means he wants to protect himself from future problems or investigations.
The report also mentions fear among the justices. This suggests tension inside the STF over Moraes's actions and influence.
The summary does not explain what is written in the apocryphal document. It also does not give full details about the fear among the ministers.
It is not yet clear if Lula will still try to name Messias to the court, or if Moraes's actions will succeed in blocking the appointment.
Vocabulary10 words
- apocryphal
- having an unknown or doubtful source; maybe not true
- sabotage
- to secretly damage or stop a plan
- faction
- a smaller group inside a bigger group, with its own view
- contaminate
- to make something impure by adding something bad
- shield
- to protect from danger or harm
- fear
- a strong feeling of worry or being afraid
- appointment
- the act of choosing someone for a job
- influence
- the power to affect people or events
- justice
- a judge, especially on a high court
- tension
- a feeling of stress between people
Quiz
Answer key
1. An apocryphal report 2. Contaminate and control the whole court 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Brazil's president, Lula, wants to name a new judge to the Supreme Federal Court, known as the _____. His choice is a man called _____.
According to a news report, another STF judge, Alexandre de _____, is trying to stop this plan.
The report calls this document _____. This means the document has no clear author and its truth cannot be checked.
By using this document, Moraes is reportedly trying to _____ Lula's plan.
Some judges at the court do not trust Moraes. The report describes them as a _____ that supports another judge, Mendonça.
This pro-Mendonça group believes Moraes has a bigger goal. They think he wants to _____ the whole court.
The report suggests Moraes wants to do this to _____ himself.
The report also mentions _____ among the justices.
Discussion questions
- Why might an unofficial or 'apocryphal' document be used to influence a court decision?
- Why do you think some judges might not trust another judge on the same court?
- How important is trust between judges for a court to work well?
- What questions would you want answered about this story?