Alexandre de Moraes: career and political role in Brazil

Alexandre de Moraes, a Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) and Vice-President of both the Court and the National Council of Justice (CNJ), remains a central figure in Brazil’s institutional and political landscape. A graduate of the University of São Paulo (USP) with a doctorate in State Law, Moraes has held various high-level positions, including roles in the Public Ministry, the Ministry of Justice, and the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

Moraes gained significant public prominence through his actions following the 2022 elections and his investigations into the January 8, 2023, attacks. His judicial decisions regarding social media and disinformation have placed him at the center of intense public debate.

Analyses suggest that Moraes’s recent prominence stems from a tactical convergence of interests. His confrontation with Bolsonarismo—specifically efforts to challenge electoral outcomes—aligned his judicial actions with the interests of the political left and traditional right-wing sectors seeking to preserve the established democratic order. However, internal tensions within the Supreme Court, such as the friction between Moraes and Justice André Mendonça, highlight ongoing divisions within the Brazilian judiciary and political spectrum.