Brazil Supreme Court to resume trial on Clean Slate Law changes

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) is scheduled to resume the trial regarding the validity of changes made by Congress to the ‘Lei da Ficha Limpa’ (Clean Slate Law) on September 11. The session will take place in a virtual plenary and is expected to continue until September 18.

The legal challenge, brought by the Rede Sustentabilidade party, contests Complementary Law 219 of 2025. This legislation modified the ineligibility periods for politicians convicted in elections, specifically altering how the eight-year ban is calculated. Under the new rules, the period begins on the date of conviction rather than after the completion of the sentence.

Currently, the STF record shows two votes against the changes, cast by Ministers Cármen Lúcia and Luiz Fux. The decision carries significant implications for the 2026 elections, as it could determine the eligibility of several political figures, including José Roberto Arruda, Eduardo Cunha, and Anthony Garotinho.