Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) criticized individual decisions by Supreme Court ministers on Monday, June 22, 2026 [1].
These remarks highlight a growing tension between the legislative branch and the judiciary in Brazil. The debate centers on whether single ministers should have the power to suspend laws approved by the National Congress, a practice that critics argue undermines democratic representation and economic stability.
Speaking during a National Confederation of Industry event in Brasília, Bolsonaro described these monocratic rulings as "canetadas" [1]. He said that such decisions create legal insecurity across the country [2]. According to the senator, this environment of uncertainty deters both domestic and foreign investments [1].
Bolsonaro argued that the ability of a single minister to overturn measures approved by the National Congress disrupts the legislative process. He said the excess of individual decisions generates instability for business owners, and compromises the overall business environment in the country [3].
"Decisões monocráticas geram insegurança jurídica e afastam investimentos," Bolsonaro said [1].
The senator, who is a pre-candidate for the presidency, framed the issue as a systemic risk to the economy. He suggested that the current judicial approach creates a volatile landscape where laws can be suspended without the full consensus of the court or the legislature [1].
This critique comes as part of a broader political effort to limit the scope of monocratic powers within the Supreme Court, a topic that has seen repeated attempts at legislative reform in recent years [1].
“"Canetadas" do STF criam insegurança jurídica no país.”
The criticism by Flávio Bolsonaro reflects a strategic effort to align the presidential pre-campaign with the interests of the industrial sector by targeting judicial activism. By framing monocratic decisions as a barrier to investment, the senator is attempting to bridge the gap between political opposition to the Supreme Court and the economic concerns of the business community, potentially making judicial reform a central pillar of his platform.
