Key facts
- Brazil's incoming Congress plans to impeach Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
- Moraes jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro for coup-plotting charges.
- Bolsonaro allies may have enough Senate votes to remove Moraes.
- Moraes ordered X suspended in Brazil in 2024, drawing criticism from Elon Musk.
Brazil's incoming Congress, heavily influenced by allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is preparing to challenge the Supreme Court, with plans to impeach Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes is the justice who oversaw Bolsonaro's arrest and conviction on charges of plotting a coup. This move represents a significant escalation in the power struggle between the legislative branch and the judiciary. Bolsonaro's allies aim to reshape the court's majority, potentially influencing Brazilian democracy for years to come. The Supreme Court has previously blocked Bolsonaro's agenda, including efforts to weaken environmental protections and ease gun purchases. The upcoming presidential runoff on October 25 could further shift the balance of power, with polls suggesting a victory for Bolsonaro's son, Flavio. Moraes has become a polarizing figure, drawing criticism from figures like US President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk. Bolsonaro supporters and Bolsonaro himself have called for Moraes' removal, citing a federal police report on communications between Moraes and a jailed banker.