Brazil Supreme Court rejects senators' bid to suspend minister in Master Bank CPI

Supreme Court President Minister Edson Fachin denied a request from four Brazilian senators—Eduardo Girão, Alessandro Vieira, Marcos Pontes and Plínio Valério—to declare Minister Kassio Nunes Marques suspect in a mandado de segurança that seeks to create a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) investigating Banco Master. The senators argued that Kassio, the case relator, has a personal friendship with Senator Ciro Nogueira, one of the subjects under investigation, and therefore a direct interest in the matter.

Fachin ruled the suspicion request was filed beyond the procedural deadline, noting that the case files were assigned by lottery on 26 March 2026 and the petition was only presented on 12 May 2026, exceeding the allowable period. He also said the issue should be raised within five days after the relator’s appointment. The senators' petition, signed by 53 senators—well above the required 27—also cited alleged inaction by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, who has not yet reviewed the CPI request.