In a move that has sent ripples through Brazil’s legal and political circles, Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luís Roberto Barroso announced his early retirement on October 9, 2025, stepping down a full eight years before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75. Barroso’s decision, delivered at the close of a plenary session and marked by visible emotion, not only marks the end of a 12-year and three-month tenure but also opens a significant opportunity for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to nominate a new justice ahead of the crucial 2026 general elections, as reported by the Associated Press.
"I feel that now is the time to follow other paths. I don’t even have them well defined, but I have no attachment to power and I would like to live a little more of the life I have left without public exposure, the obligations and demands of the position," Barroso stated, his voice trembling as he paused for water and gathered himself during the announcement. His words, according to coverage from the Brazilian press, reflected a man at peace with his legacy but eager for a life beyond the intense spotlight of the nation’s highest court.
Barroso, who joined the STF in June 2013 after being nominated by then-President Dilma Rousseff, has long been a prominent figure in Brazilian constitutional law. In addition to his judicial work, he maintains a respected academic career as a professor of constitutional law at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Over the years, he became known for his thoughtful approach to complex legal issues and his willingness to confront Brazil’s most divisive debates head-on.
His early retirement is not without precedent, but it remains a rarity within the court. The last time a minister stepped down more than a month before mandatory retirement was in 2014. Barroso himself would not have been required to retire until 2033, underscoring the significance of his decision.
According to Barroso, the idea of leaving the court early was not a sudden one. He revealed that he had first broached the subject with President Lula two years ago. The two men, who were seen together as recently as October 4 at a concert by singer Maria Bethânia, had planned to discuss the matter further in a meeting scheduled for the day before Barroso’s announcement. However, the meeting was canceled due to the president’s other commitments, leaving the final conversation between the two men unfinished.
In his farewell remarks, Barroso reflected on the challenges and triumphs of his time on the bench. "Radicalism is the enemy of truth. In life we must be careful not to fall in love for our own reasons. Despite the difficulties that we have not yet overcome, such as poverty and inequality, I also reaffirm my faith in Brazil, the most beautiful country in the world," he said, expressing both concern and hope for the nation’s future.
Barroso’s tenure at the STF was marked by moments of intense conflict and historic significance. Most notably, he presided over the court during the first-ever conviction of a former Brazilian president for a coup d’état—an unprecedented moment in the country’s legal history. Barroso made it clear that he felt a profound sense of duty to remain on the court until the conclusion of the trial regarding the central figures in the 2022 coup plot. "It was my duty to be here, to be on the side of my colleagues," he explained, underscoring the gravity of the events he helped adjudicate.
His judicial philosophy often placed him at the center of national debates. One such issue is the ongoing legal battle over the criminalization of abortion. Barroso has a pending request for review on the matter and has been candid about the discriminatory impact of current laws. "Criminalization is a discriminatory component because it has a perverse effect on poor women," he noted. Still, he has hesitated to push the case forward for trial, citing concerns about further polarizing an already divided country. "The consideration I am making is that we are already living in a moment with many delicate issues happening at the same time and the risks of a divisive decision creating an even more turbulent environment in the country," Barroso explained.
Barroso’s time at the STF was not without controversy. He became a frequent target of former President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters, especially as he assumed the presidency of the Supreme Court in 2023 with a speech emphasizing national unity. "Democracy won and we need to work for the pacification of the country," he declared at his inauguration, a message that resonated with some but drew ire from others. Barroso’s public confrontations with other justices, including a heated exchange in 2018 with Justice Gilmar Mendes, were widely covered in the Brazilian media. In that exchange, Barroso accused Mendes of dishonoring the court, while Mendes shot back with his own criticisms. Despite these clashes, Mendes offered warm words upon Barroso’s retirement: "A big hug, be happy."
The response from Brazil’s legal and political establishment has been largely one of respect and admiration. The president of the Supreme Court praised Barroso’s contributions, saying he left a mark on the construction of Brazilian constitutional law with "profound effects [that] will last for many generations to come." Attorney General Paulo Gonet echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Barroso’s role in defending the Constitution and Brazilian democracy: "We all find comfort in the fact that, if we lose the judge, the country will continue to count on the jurist who is always cultured, always open to dialogue and always in search of what is fair and right." Hugo Motta, president of the Chamber of Deputies, highlighted Barroso’s "balance in defending democracy" and wished him success in his next chapter.
Barroso’s early departure now places a significant decision in the hands of President Lula, who will have the opportunity to appoint a new justice before the 2026 general elections. This development is expected to shape the direction of the Supreme Court for years to come, as the new appointee will likely serve well into the next decade. The timing is especially consequential given the current political climate and the numerous sensitive cases awaiting the court’s attention.
As Barroso prepares to spend his final days on the bench organizing a backlog of pending cases and reviews—intending to complete this work by October 17—he leaves behind a legacy defined by courage, intellectual rigor, and a steadfast commitment to justice. For Brazil, the transition marks not just the end of an era but the beginning of a new chapter in its highest court.