Alexandre de Moraes assumed the interim presidency of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Friday, July 17, 2026 [1].
This transition occurs during the judicial recess in Brasília, placing the leadership of Brazil's highest court in the hands of one of its most prominent ministers. The shift ensures the continuity of judicial administration while the court's permanent leadership is on leave.
As the vice president of the court, Moraes stepped into the role because the term of the incumbent president, Edson Fachin, covered only the first half of the recess [5]. According to court rules, the vice president assumes the presidency for the second half of the period [5].
This interim appointment is scheduled to last until July 31, 2026 [2], [3]. While most reports indicate the recess concludes at the end of July, one source cited a different recess period occurring between December 2025 and January 2026 [4].
The transition also involves the management of the court's legal calendar. Certain pending processes have an automatic prorogation set for Aug. 3, 2026 [5].
Moraes will manage the court's duties from the STF headquarters in Brasília [6] until the conclusion of the interim term. The arrangement follows standard STF protocol for leadership rotation during official holiday periods.
“Alexandre de Moraes assumed the interim presidency of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Friday, July 17, 2026”
The interim presidency is a procedural rotation within the STF, but it places significant administrative authority in the hands of Alexandre de Moraes. Given his role in high-profile cases, his temporary leadership during the recess maintains the court's operational stability while adhering to the internal regulations that divide recess leadership between the president and vice president.
