Senators plan to reform the STF starting in 2027

Senators elected and in office are already articulating proposals to reform the Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) from 2027. Discussions are gaining momentum among MPs who advocate changes in the structure of the Court, such as the limitation of terms and new rules for the choice of ministers. The goal, according to the defenders, is to reduce political influence in the nominations and avoid what they classify as abuses by the Judiciary.

The debate takes place at a time of tension between the Legislative and the STF, with impeachment requests against ministers processing in the Senate. The reform proposal, however, aims at the long term: to change the rules so that, from 2027, the Court has a different composition and mandates with a defined term.

The current model focuses power on the president

One of the central points of criticism is the process of nominating ministers. It is currently up to the President of the Republic to indicate the names, which need to be approved by the Senate. For the proponents of reform, this model can favour choices linked to political and personal relations, rather than purely technical criteria.

“Although there is democratic legitimacy in this architecture, the procedure can favor choices excessively linked to political and personal relations,” warns a parliamentarian involved in the discussions. The statement summarizes the inconvenience on the part of the Senate with the current system.

Critics argue that the concentration of the initiative in the Executive weakens the role of the Legislative in the oversight and choice of members of the highest court in the country. The proposal under study provides for greater participation of the Senate or the adoption of objective criteria for selection.

Long terms are the subject of criticism

Another point defended by the reformists is the limitation of the time spent in office. Today, the ministers of the STF can stay in office until they are 75 years old, which in practice means decades-long mandates. For advocates of change, this concentrates power and can lead to decisions far from social reality.

“I have always believed that too long terms led the judiciary to commit abuses, at least because they undermined Brazilian legal thinking,” said a parliamentarian who supports impeachment requests against Minister Alexandre de Moraes. The speech reflects the dissatisfaction of a wing of the Senate with the action of the Court.

The proposed fixed term, lasting between eight and ten years, is seen as a way to renew the composition of the court and reduce personalism in decisions. The idea, however, has not yet been formalized in a bill or constitutional amendment.

New elects senators with anti-STF agenda

The New Party was the only acronym in the country to release a national guideline for the selected candidates to be committed to the guidelines to reform the STF and to break the mandate of accused ministers. The legend elected three senators this year, who are expected to act as spokespersons for these proposals in Congress.

The ones elected by the New must present, at the beginning of the mandate, projects to limit the mandates of the ministers and change the nomination process. The expectation is that the party’s bench will act in bloc to pressure the president of the Senate to rule the matters.

The movement of the New indicates that the reform of the STF should be one of the main flags of the opposition in the coming years. The party bets on the wear and tear of the Court with public opinion to move forward with the proposals.

Reform depends on constitutional change

Any change in the functioning of the STF requires the approval of an amendment to the Constitution, which requires the vote of three fifths of deputies and senators, in two turns. The path is long and depends on political articulation, but supporters believe the issue will gain momentum after the 2026 elections.

Until then, parliamentarians should focus efforts on collecting signatures and holding public hearings to discuss the issue. The source did not detail whether a base text for the proposed constitutional amendment already exists.

Meanwhile, impeachment requests against ministers of the STF remain stalled in the Senate, with no foreseeable analysis. The pressure on the president of the House should increase with the arrival of the new senators elected by the New.

What to expect from the next steps

Proponents of the reform plan to present the proposals early in the next legislature, in February 2027. The debate on the STF is expected to intensify during the 2026 election campaign, with candidates taking public commitments to the agenda.

For the reader, the topic is of direct interest, as the STF decides on issues that affect the day-to-day, such as labor rights, taxation and individual freedoms. Changes in the composition and functioning of the Court may influence future decisions in sensitive areas.

The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to follow the developments of this articulation in Congress and will bring new information as it becomes available.

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