Brazil's Senate blocked the appointment of Attorney General Jorge Messias, who has strong ties to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to a seat at the country's Supreme Federal Court, g1 reported on April 29. This is the first time a presidential pick has not been confirmed since 1894.

Messias needed support from at least 41 out of the country's 81 senators, but he only received 34 votes. His rejection came amid severe divergences over his appointment between Lula and the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, who wanted an ally to be nominated to the Supreme Court. Moreover, it occurred amid high tension between the legislative and judicial branches and popular opposition to the Supreme Court due to corruption scandals, claims of judicial overreach and allegations of political persecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro and his far-right supporters.