In a week marked by rare political harmony and pivotal judicial change, Brazil’s capital became the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters and transitions that could reshape the country’s political and legal landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. At the heart of these developments were President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s strategic moves to broaden his government’s alliances and the swearing-in of Justice Luiz Edson Fachin as the new chief justice of Brazil’s Supreme Court.
The mood in Brasília was one of cautious optimism. On September 23, 2025, President Lula and former U.S. President Donald Trump greeted each other and exchanged a few words at a public event—a moment that, while brief, captured international attention. Trump, never one to shy from colorful commentary, summed up the encounter by declaring, “I only do business with people I like. And I liked him, and he from me. For at least 39 seconds we had excellent chemistry, that’s a good sign.” According to reporting from Sheet, this unexpected public show of goodwill was seen by Lula’s allies as a sign of shifting winds in both domestic and international politics.
Lula’s government, which had been under heavy criticism and economic sanctions just weeks prior, now finds itself in a more favorable political position. Over the past three months, the administration has accumulated a string of positive political developments, culminating in what allies describe as a new opportunity to expand alliances with centrist parties. Previously, some members of the powerful Centrão bloc were ready to abandon the government’s coalition in favor of a rival candidacy. Now, with uncertainty hanging over the intentions of São Paulo’s Governor Tarcisio and the ineligibility of a key opposition candidate, these same Centrão figures are reconsidering their next moves, opting to wait for further developments on the national stage.
As one influential politician told Sheet, “There is a change in the air, but this is just the current snapshot—many things can still happen.” Another recalled that, just two months ago, Lula’s political fortunes looked bleak, but now he is emerging as a favorite for 2026. Yet, even with the good winds, the government faces challenges in Congress, where the legislative agenda remains contentious.
The recent defeat of a controversial constitutional amendment proposal—one that would have required legislative approval before the Supreme Court could open lawsuits against parliamentarians—marked a turning point. On September 21, 2025, the Senate unanimously rejected the proposal, prompting lawmakers to reassess their priorities and, in some cases, to lean toward advancing the government’s interests. Notably, the income tax exemption for Brazilians earning up to $5,000 has moved up the legislative agenda.
Behind the scenes, efforts to strengthen regional alliances are intensifying. Senate Presidents David Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP) and Edinho Silva (PT) played key roles in organizing dialogue between the government and União Brasil, a major centrist party. A meeting between Lula and Antonio Rueda, União Brasil’s president, is expected in the coming days. As one União Brasil leader acknowledged, “There is a willingness to dialogue,” while also noting that a total break with the executive would not be advantageous. Still, others in the party remain skeptical, betting that the right will ultimately unite behind a competitive candidate to challenge Lula in 2026.
Amid these shifting political tides, the judiciary also witnessed a significant transition. On September 29, 2025, Justice Luiz Edson Fachin, aged 67, was sworn in as chief justice of the Supreme Court, replacing Luís Roberto Barroso. The ceremony, held at the court’s headquarters, was modest by recent standards, attended by about 1,000 guests—including President Lula, Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, and Lower House Speaker Hugo Motta. Unlike his predecessor’s lavish inauguration, Fachin’s event featured only the court’s staff choir and simple refreshments, underscoring his reputation for discretion and institutional focus.
Justice Fachin’s leadership style is expected to be less vocal and more institutional, with a strong emphasis on defending the integrity of the court and protecting individual rights. As quoted by Valor Econômico, outgoing Chief Justice Barroso praised his successor: “Fachin is a person of great personal integrity, technical preparation, and idealism. The country is very fortunate to have someone like him as the chief justice.”
Observers and legal analysts believe that Fachin’s approach—summed up by his oft-repeated phrase, “To law what belongs to law, and to politics what belongs to politics”—will help ease tensions between the court and other branches of government. According to Oscar Vilhena, a professor at FGV Law School in São Paulo, “Now, after the clash between the political system and the court, there is space for a less vocal chief justice.” Álvaro Jorge, another FGV professor, added, “He speaks through his rulings. He is highly institutional and has always emphasized, even in his votes, a deep concern with protecting individual rights.”
Justice Fachin’s first week as chief justice will focus on cases of broad social significance. He has retained under his rapporteurship the lawsuit over whether ride-hailing app drivers should be classified as formal employees—a case with major implications for Brazil’s gig economy. Other cases on the docket include environmental preservation, the application of the Elderly Statute to health insurance plans, rules for judicial promotions, and prisoners’ rights to remain silent. These choices reflect his longstanding commitment to social and labor causes, as demonstrated by his past rulings: imposing measures to reduce police killings in Rio de Janeiro, prohibiting degrading strip searches of prison visitors, and suspending decrees that loosened restrictions on gun sales and ownership.
Fachin’s track record extends to landmark decisions recognizing racial slurs and homophobia as forms of racism, and striking down restrictions on blood donations by gay men. On Indigenous rights, he was the rapporteur in the crucial “milestone thesis” case, which addressed land demarcation rights for Indigenous peoples.
Administratively, Fachin intends to continue several initiatives launched by Barroso, including reforms to the TV Justice channel and the creation of a comprehensive repository of Supreme Court rulings. He is also committed to the National Pact for Plain Language—a drive to make the court’s communication more accessible and less mired in legalese (a welcome change, given his own penchant for ornate language, sometimes dubbed “Fachinish”).
Justice Alexandre de Moraes assumed the role of deputy chief justice at the same ceremony. Fachin’s administrative team includes Desdêmona Tenório de Brito Toledo Arruda as chief of staff, Roberto Dalledone Machado Filho as secretary-general, and André Ribeiro Giamberardino as cabinet chief.
Born in Rondinha, Rio Grande do Sul, and educated at the Federal University of Paraná, Fachin’s career has spanned academia, public service, and the judiciary. He was nominated to the Supreme Court in 2015 by then-president Dilma Rousseff, filling the seat vacated by Joaquim Barbosa, and previously served as Paraná’s state prosecutor from 1990 to 2006.
As the country heads toward another potentially turbulent election season, the combination of Lula’s renewed political momentum and Fachin’s steady hand at the Supreme Court could prove decisive. With alliances shifting and new legal precedents on the horizon, Brazil’s next chapter is being written in real time—and the world is watching.
