Brazil's Senate rejected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's nominee for the Supreme Court on Wednesday. This marks the first time in more than 130 years that a top court nominee has been rejected by Congress, dealing a stinging political blow to the leader.
The nominee, 46-year-old Solicitor General Jorge Messias, is a close legal advisor to the president and shares the Evangelical faith of several lawmakers he attempted to court. Despite receiving prior approval from a Senate commission and campaigning for support from other members of the court, Messias failed to secure the 41 votes required for approval in a secret ballot. Only 34 senators voted in favor, while 42 rejected the appointment.
The appointment was intended to fill a vacant seat left by Luís Roberto Barroso, who resigned in November, leaving the court to operate with 10 members. The setback comes as Lula seeks reelection in October for his fourth inconsecutive term.
The last time Brazil's Senate rejected a Supreme Court nominee was in 1894, when President Floriano Peixoto was at odds with lawmakers. President Lula will now have to nominate another person, who must undergo the same scrutiny before the Senate votes again.