Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) said a decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes to suspend the Dosimetry Law appears to be a "fixed game."
The dispute highlights the ongoing friction between the Brazilian legislative branch and the Supreme Federal Court (STF) over judicial authority and the timing of legal rulings.
Speaking in an interview with CNN Brasil on May 9, 2024 [1], Bolsonaro said the decision by Moraes to halt the application of the Dosimetry Law until the STF plenary can vote on the matter was a "canetada," a Portuguese term referring to an arbitrary administrative act or a "stroke of the pen" [1].
Bolsonaro said the suspension appears to be a coordinated effort rather than a standard legal procedure. He argued that the timing and nature of the suspension were politically motivated, which led to his characterization of the event as a "fixed game" [1].
The Dosimetry Law is currently awaiting a full vote by the STF plenary. Until that vote occurs, the suspension issued by Moraes prevents the law from being applied in current legal contexts [1].
This confrontation is part of a larger pattern of public disagreements between Bolsonaro and the STF. The senator's comments reflect a broader critique from his political party regarding the perceived overreach of individual ministers within the court's structure [1].
Bolsonaro said the decision lacked the necessary transparency and suggested that the judicial process was being manipulated to achieve specific outcomes [1].
“"The decision seems like a fixed game."”
This clash underscores the systemic tension in Brazil's governance, where the Supreme Federal Court often exercises unilateral power to suspend legislation. By labeling the move a "fixed game," Bolsonaro is framing the judiciary not as a neutral arbiter, but as a political actor influencing the legal landscape before a full democratic vote can take place in the plenary.
