Brazilian Electoral Courts Uphold Political Speech and Limit Abuse‑of‑Power Probe

The Regional Electoral Court of Mato Grosso (TRE‑MT) rejected, for the third time, a request to prohibit the use of the nickname “Mauro Master” for former governor Mauro Mendes. Judge Marcelo Alexandre Oliveira da Silva Morgado ruled that the nickname could be considered electoral satire and did not meet the threshold for an urgent injunction, ordering the parties to provide further information before a final merit decision.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) partially extinguished a judicial electoral investigation (Aije) against former President Jair Bolsonaro and former general Braga Netto, concluding that continuing the case would lack procedural interest. The court held that the earlier convictions in related actions already addressed the alleged abuse of power during the September 7, 2022 independence celebrations, and therefore the specific action against Bolsonaro and Netto was dismissed, while investigations against other alleged participants remain pending.